Hariri Slams Kidnappings: A Wrong Cannot Be Solved with Another Wrong

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri condemned on Thursday the recent kidnapping of Lebanese nationals in Syria and the abduction of Syrians and other nationals in Lebanon.

He said in a statement: “A wrong cannot be solved with another wrong.”

“We completely reject the abduction of foreigners in Lebanon aimed at exerting pressure or issuing threats against those who abducted a Lebanese national in Syria,” he said.

“We had previously condemned the abduction of our Lebanese brothers in Syria months ago,” he stated in reference to the kidnapping of the 11 Lebanese pilgrims in Aleppo in May.

“We considered that case a national cause that concerns all powers,” said the former premier.

In addition, Hariri warned that “hasty reactions” over security incidents “only benefit the Syrian regime that is working hard to exploit the kidnappings and incitement in order to worsen disputes between the Lebanese after the failure of its plan to carry out attacks in northern Lebanon.”

He made his remark in reference to the arrest of former minister Michel Samaha, who is closely affiliated with the Syrian regime, over charges that he was seeking to carry out attacks in the North and target political and religious figures in Lebanon at Syrian orders.

“At this critical time in Lebanon and the region’s history, we are in great need for the efforts of all the Lebanese, without exception, to provide the necessary measures to ensure the safe release of the abducted Lebanese in Syria and foreigners kidnapped in Lebanon,” he said.

“We reject some sides’ blocking of the airport or Masnaa roads whenever something happens in Lebanon because it leads to the country’s isolation from its Arab and international fold,” stated the former premier.

He hoped that the sides involved would halt such practices that harm the interests of all Lebanese without exception.

Al-Meqdad clan kidnapped on Wednesday over 20 Syrian nationals, who allegedly belong to the Free Syrian Army, in tit-for-tat kidnappings after the FSA detained Hassan Salim al-Meqdad earlier this week.

The family’s military wing warned that they can reach Aley, Tripoli and Iqlim al-Kharroub, saying that they have a bank of targets in Lebanon and capable of reaching regional targets.

On Tuesday, Hizbullah denied a video aired by al-Arabiya news channel claiming that the FSA detained a member of Hizbullah identified as Hassan Salim al-Meqdad.

The family of 39-year-old Hassan also ruled out that he is a member of the party, revealing that he works at Jammal Trust Bank and headed to Syria a year and a half ago to resolve some financial problems.