Update on the Estonians abducted in Lebanon

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The whereabouts of the Estonian tourists who went missing in the eastern Bekaa Valley while on a biking trip remain unknown.

AFP quoted witnesses yesterday as saying the seven were kidnapped in 2 vans by armed men wearing masks .

Voice of Lebanon radio station reported on Thursday that the Lebanese army is carrying out an intense search operation to locate the Estonians. The focus is on eastern Lebanese mountains mainly near the Palestinian armed bases and at Lebanese – Syrian border crossings.

LBC TV reported that the Lebanese security forces are cooperating with the Estonian authorities over the the fate of the 7 abducted Estonians, and have confirmed that the kidnappers are not amateurs.

Elie Marouni , a Zahle MP told Future TV on Thursday : “There is a possibility that the abduction of the Estonians and the developments in the Arab world are linked.”

He expressed concern that the timing of the abductions spells bad news for tourism in Lebanon specially that spring is already here

“All possibilities are open, but we have no real information about what happened except that investigations are ongoing.” He said

The Seven Europeans were kidnapped near the Bekaa city of Zahle on Wednesday , reportedly within half an hour after they had entered Lebanon from Syria on their bikes.

March 14 MP Ahmed Fatfat told Voice of Lebanon: ” The abduction of the 7 Estonian tourists is a “very dangerous scenario that takes us back to the 80s. This is a message to all Lebanese; the purpose behind it is to paralyze the country.”

He said the abductions show that security is deteriorating in Lebanon

Fatfat blamed Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.

The event is “added to the dangerous messages that we heard, which led to the position by the Bahraini king stopping Lebanese from entering Bahrain,” he told Voice of Lebanon ( radio.

Bahrain on Tuesday warned its citizens against travel to Lebanon after Nasrallah pledged his support for majority-Shiite protesters against the country’s Sunni monarchy. Bahrain also urged its citizens who are living in Lebanon to leave the country immediately due to concern about their security .

Bahrain branded Hezbollah a “terrorist organization” and slammed Nasrallah’s comments as “blatant interference.”

Nasrallah should “be responsible and renounce his stance that directly interferes in the affairs of a free and independent state,” the MP added

Fatfat stopped short of accusing Hezbollah of being behind the abduction even though security sources told New TV yesterday that one of the vehicles used in the abduction is registered in the name of a citizen from the southern town of Qana, a Hezbollah stronghold.

Update1: March 14 MP Assem Araji told Akhbar al-Yawm newspaper : “The abductors of the Estonian tourists are definitely not from the region and I hope the kidnapping does not have anything to do with the developments in the region.”

Update 2: Lebanese Internal Security source told MTV: The seven Estonians were likely kidnapped and taken to Syria.

Update: Security sources told Voice of Lebanon Radio station: Cameras captured footage of the kidnappers of the 7 Estonians while crossing a checkpoint. Information shows that the abductors headed to the PFLP-GC base.

Update: The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) arrested a Lebanese citizen on Friday in the town of Soueira on suspicions of involvement in the Wednesday kidnapping of the seven Estonians in the Bekaa Valley.

Update: Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC) official Abu Ramez Moustapha denied on Friday that Palestinian parties are behind the abduction of seven Estonian citizens, LBC television reported.

He also denied media reports that the kidnappers’ cars headed to the PFLP-GC Ain al-Baida base near Kfar Zabad.

Update: A security source told Kuwaiti newspaper al Anbaa that most probably the Estonians were kidnapped by Fatah al-Intifada, a Palestinian militant faction founded by Col. Said al-Muragha, with Syria’s support .

No clear motive so far for the kidnapping , but according to the security source Libyan leader’s son Saif Gaddafi may be behind it to put pressure on the west. The documents reportedly left behind by the kidnappers indicate that the kidnapping was politically motivated and not for the sake of demanding ransom

Photo: Lebanese policemen carry bikes belonging to kidnapped European bikers in Zahleh town in the eastern Bekaa valley March 23, 2011. Seven Estonians riding bicycles in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley were kidnapped by masked gunmen on Wednesday, security sources said, a rare incident of its kind since the Lebanese civil war ( REUTERS/Khaled Sami )

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40 responses to “Update on the Estonians abducted in Lebanon”

  1. FadiAbboud Avatar
    FadiAbboud

    Hezbollah’s mission is destroys tourism and safety and freedoms of civilians..
    My comment is not a target against any specific religion, those who create and destroy the law for their own benefit and allow injustice to prevail should be brought to justice and help accountable.
    The time to give the Lebanese people a chance at peace is now. The time for intimidation and assassinations with weapons has long been overdue.
    History repeats itself and only the people of Lebanon can stop it from doing so.

    1. SirBlack Avatar

      Fadi, Hezbollah’s mission is to resist and fight our only enemy Israel… The security is the mission of the police who are not doing their job because they have become a militia that supports the corrupt royal family that has been ruling lebanon since the begining of the 90’s… instead of accusing Hezbollah left and right, try to criticise the fact that our police is there to make our life horrible, and never stop a thief or a killer. Bala ma ninshour ghassilan 2idem 2il 3alam, bass 2il 2amin 2il dekhili mishkle 2aktar min 7ezballah la2ino ma 3am bi meris daouro.

      1. FadiAbboud Avatar
        FadiAbboud

        No one is accusing… the facts are clear

        1. SirBlack Avatar

          Exactly, the fact that our Army was never allowed to arm itself, the fact that those who have been ruling Lebanon over two decades has got us into a huge debt and corruption that got us to the point of pathetic situation, what kind of Tourism or Economy is worthy if we are 90% of the income is going to the ruling family and it’s mercenaries? isn’t it time for us to live?

        2. FadiAbboud Avatar
          FadiAbboud

          talking to a Hezbollah supporter is like talking to a brick wall.

    2. SirBlack Avatar

      Fadi, Hezbollah’s mission is to resist and fight our only enemy Israel… The security is the mission of the police who are not doing their job because they have become a militia that supports the corrupt royal family that has been ruling lebanon since the begining of the 90’s… instead of accusing Hezbollah left and right, try to criticise the fact that our police is there to make our life horrible, and never stop a thief or a killer. Bala ma ninshour ghassilan 2idem 2il 3alam, bass 2il 2amin 2il dekhili mishkle 2aktar min 7ezballah la2ino ma 3am bi meris daouro.

      1. FadiAbboud Avatar
        FadiAbboud

        No one is accusing… the facts are clear

        1. FadiAbboud Avatar
          FadiAbboud

          talking to a Hezbollah supporter is like talking to a brick wall.

    3. Ya Allah ma akhrakon w ma anjaskon. Later we’ll find that those who kidnapped the Estonians happen to be Sunnis in Fatfat’s constituency.

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Hezbollah’s mission is destroys tourism and safety and freedoms of civilians..
    My comment is not a target against any specific religion, those who create and destroy the law for their own benefit and allow injustice to prevail should be brought to justice and help accountable.
    The time to give the Lebanese people a chance at peace is now. The time for intimidation and assassinations with weapons has long been overdue.
    History repeats itself and only the people of Lebanon can stop it from doing so.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Fadi, Hezbollah’s mission is to resist and fight our only enemy Israel… The security is the mission of the police who are not doing their job because they have become a militia that supports the corrupt royal family that has been ruling lebanon since the begining of the 90’s… instead of accusing Hezbollah left and right, try to criticise the fact that our police is there to make our life horrible, and never stop a thief or a killer. Bala ma ninshour ghassilan 2idem 2il 3alam, bass 2il 2amin 2il dekhili mishkle 2aktar min 7ezballah la2ino ma 3am bi meris daouro.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        No one is accusing… the facts are clear

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          Exactly, the fact that our Army was never allowed to arm itself, the fact that those who have been ruling Lebanon over two decades has got us into a huge debt and corruption that got us to the point of pathetic situation, what kind of Tourism or Economy is worthy if we are 90% of the income is going to the ruling family and it’s mercenaries? isn’t it time for us to live?

        2.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          Exactly, the fact that our Army was never allowed to arm itself, the fact that those who have been ruling Lebanon over two decades has got us into a huge debt and corruption that got us to the point of pathetic situation, what kind of Tourism or Economy is worthy if we are 90% of the income is going to the ruling family and it’s mercenaries? isn’t it time for us to live?

        3.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          talking to a Hezbollah supporter is like talking to a brick wall.

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Fadi, Hezbollah’s mission is to resist and fight our only enemy Israel… The security is the mission of the police who are not doing their job because they have become a militia that supports the corrupt royal family that has been ruling lebanon since the begining of the 90’s… instead of accusing Hezbollah left and right, try to criticise the fact that our police is there to make our life horrible, and never stop a thief or a killer. Bala ma ninshour ghassilan 2idem 2il 3alam, bass 2il 2amin 2il dekhili mishkle 2aktar min 7ezballah la2ino ma 3am bi meris daouro.

    3. Ya Allah ma akhrakon w ma anjaskon. Later we’ll find that those who kidnapped the Estonians happen to be Sunnis in Fatfat’s constituency.

  3. Hezbollah mission is to resist and fight Israel? Read my past post below on this terrorist organization, when their is no one to fight, accept those who resist their criminal activities.

    Re-posted:
    When Northern Ireland had a peace treaty in place, between the Catholics, the Protestants and the UK, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), were consider the freedom fighters for Northern Ireland, even though most governments listed them as terrorist. Because of these peace agreed by all parties, what was IRA to do? Disarm and get real jobs? No. Instead, they turn to crime, especially drug dealing.

    As long their is no real conflict taking place in Lebanon, what is Hezbollah to do? No war with Israel. No battles with the other Lebanese parties at the moment. So, like the IRA, they will turn to crime also. Do you really think Hezbollah fighters will disarm and get real jobs? Very unlikely. These trained killers will resort to crime for a living, if that what it takes to survive. And this can be a long term problem for Lebanon, if long standing peace is finally in place. A group of thugs selling arms, drugs, money laundering, kidnapping, etc..

    The Lebanese government has to seriously think how they will handle this group, if long term peace is succeeded. Like other countries in the past, money for arms or job training are some suggestions. But, some in the group Hezbollah will reject this and Lebanon’s police force will be struggling this for years to come in fighting them. Many good policemen and innocent victims will probably die in the process – that is the problem, when a terrorist organization becomes a full time criminal organizations.

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Hezbollah mission is to resist and fight Israel? Read my past post below on this terrorist organization, when their is no one to fight, accept those who resist their criminal activities.

    Re-posted:
    When Northern Ireland had a peace treaty in place, between the Catholics, the Protestants and the UK, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), were consider the freedom fighters for Northern Ireland, even though most governments listed them as terrorist. Because of these peace agreed by all parties, what was IRA to do? Disarm and get real jobs? No. Instead, they turn to crime, especially drug dealing.

    As long their is no real conflict taking place in Lebanon, what is Hezbollah to do? No war with Israel. No battles with the other Lebanese parties at the moment. So, like the IRA, they will turn to crime also. Do you really think Hezbollah fighters will disarm and get real jobs? Very unlikely. These trained killers will resort to crime for a living, if that what it takes to survive. And this can be a long term problem for Lebanon, if long standing peace is finally in place. A group of thugs selling arms, drugs, money laundering, kidnapping, etc..

    The Lebanese government has to seriously think how they will handle this group, if long term peace is succeeded. Like other countries in the past, money for arms or job training are some suggestions. But, some in the group Hezbollah will reject this and Lebanon’s police force will be struggling this for years to come in fighting them. Many good policemen and innocent victims will probably die in the process – that is the problem, when a terrorist organization becomes a full time criminal organizations.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      There is a main defect in your argument, but before I carry on let me tell you that I am not saying Hezbollah are all saints and goodwill fighters, specially that I do believe that religion is dangerous and that religious groups needs to keep away from politics… but at the moment, I will refrain from that critic till we no longer need a defence force for Lebanon.
      The defect in your argument is peace… Northern Ireland had a peace treaty in place… as you said, we do not have any such form of peace, we are in a state of war with the State of Israel that we see as a racist state and a state of terror, in this sense, and since we do not have any form of defence force (since the army capabilities is laughable) and until we have an army that can actually defend the country, Hezbollah is our current defence force, and no one be mistaken, more than half of the Lebanese population supports Hezbollah (or at least half just so that the other camp won’t be too upset)

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        Then who is stopping you from making peace with Israel? Iran and Syria? Jordon and Egypt already have peace treaties with the State of Israel. I cannot see why Lebanon can do the same. Are you afraid of upsetting the mullahs in Tehran, even the thought of having peace with your neighbor?

        And you know what is the best defense against Israel? Just DON’T attack them or terrorize them, like you did in 2006. Trust me, they could not be bothered with Lebanon, except having peace.

        You call Israel a racist and a state of terror? Is not Hezbollah terrorizing their own people, who oppose them? We have already seen enough killings of Lebanese politicians/security members members by this group.

        And you say that half the population support this terrorist group? Why don’t you just shift that support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, the county’s true protector of all people inside Lebanon. Then maybe, it won’t be laughable, and let alone the respect they deserve.

        Stop being Iranian, Syrian or whatever nationality that Hezbollah is pretending to be. Remember, money and arms cannot buy a nationality forever. Syria and Iran will fall one day and will have true democracy. And when that happens, good bye supporting Hezbollah.

        Just be Lebanese! And it is OK to have peace with all your neighbors. Trust me, the rest of the free world will support you, instead those corrupt regimes in Damascus and Tehran.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          Firstly, I wish to express my sorrow about the incident of kidnappings in Lebanon as a citizen of this broken country. It is truly an unfortunate event that culminated from incoherent efforts of the people themselves. We are not perfect, but please do understand, we try…

          Secondly, who is who, and who is doing what, is just splitting hair. Since as we all understand that the army cannot defend the land from any alien attack, being Israeli or domestic, Hezbollah is the sole defense in the south against an Israeli attack. There is an international embargo against arming the Lebanese army to be a line of defense. Also worth mentioning, Israel still occupies a disputed region between Syria and Lebanon. So it is safe to assume that Israel still has ill will against Lebanon. In addition, if the army cannot replace the role of Hezbollah with people from the army’s ranks due to limited fire power, isn’t it safe to conclude that Hezbollah is the best line of defense? Before we take Hezbollah out of the equation of Home land security, we should concentrate on how to get the country in a functional standpoint.

          plomca, I appreciate your concern, I truly do.

          Lebanon has always been the home of greatest minds. Much remains to be seen as a culmination of their works, but not in the foreseeable future since many have fled to sanctuaries that put value to their existence. Lebanon was also a beacon of knowledge and wisdom for the greater Middle East. However, somehow, Lebanon posed as a threat and now is riddled with disputes and people occupying its land that have no common interest with its role on this planet. Nevertheless, forced onto our borders. By that I do not mean Palestinian only. I ask the forgiveness of my current Palestinian guests, I do not hold ill will against you, it is your ancestors who posed a threat and resulted in our current situation. Though people of the civil war have taken to their part to handle this situation in an atrocious manner, For that alone, we deserve each other and should bare our crosses silently. I think it is only right to clarify as to not cause flared nostrils.

          As of now, I do not wish for anything in this country but the return of the kidnapped Estonian Citizens. From previous experience, I am sure we can wait. For patience is our greatest virtue.

  5. andor_2001 Avatar
    andor_2001

    Estonia is a member of several international organizations, including the NATO. Estonian soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan. Recently Estonian media was discussing wisdom of sending their soldiers to Libya, too. Who knows which of the groups had taken notice of these developments?! It is very possible the guys were followed by the kidnappers from Syria, and searching for them in Lebanon is pointless!

  6. andor_2001 Avatar
    andor_2001

    Estonia is a member of several international organizations, including the NATO. Estonian soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan. Recently Estonian media was discussing wisdom of sending their soldiers to Libya, too. Who knows which of the groups had taken notice of these developments?! It is very possible the guys were followed by the kidnappers from Syria, and searching for them in Lebanon is pointless!

  7. Estonia is a member of several international organizations, including the NATO. Estonian soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan. Recently Estonian media was discussing wisdom of sending their soldiers to Libya, too. Who knows which of the groups had taken notice of these developments?! It is very possible the guys were followed by the kidnappers from Syria, and searching for them in Lebanon is pointless!

  8. lebnaneh Avatar

    stop dreaming hizballah is a big zero and can fight no one hizballah created just to fight the lebanese people and he;s nothing but a syrian puppet once they achieved there target they will finish him exactly like moughaney and they will blame it on isreal why they don;t want to arms the lebanese army? this question you should ask your friend assad if he arms the lebanese armes will be no need for the resistance israel in the south while our strong hold resistance is in the middle of beirut what are the resistance in beirut ?stop fouling yourself hizballah killed more lebanese then the israels did they are crimianls and should be sharged for what they did

  9.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    stop dreaming hizballah is a big zero and can fight no one hizballah created just to fight the lebanese people and he;s nothing but a syrian puppet once they achieved there target they will finish him exactly like moughaney and they will blame it on isreal why they don;t want to arms the lebanese army? this question you should ask your friend assad if he arms the lebanese armes will be no need for the resistance israel in the south while our strong hold resistance is in the middle of beirut what are the resistance in beirut ?stop fouling yourself hizballah killed more lebanese then the israels did they are crimianls and should be sharged for what they did

  10.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    stop dreaming hizballah is a big zero and can fight no one hizballah created just to fight the lebanese people and he;s nothing but a syrian puppet once they achieved there target they will finish him exactly like moughaney and they will blame it on isreal why they don;t want to arms the lebanese army? this question you should ask your friend assad if he arms the lebanese armes will be no need for the resistance israel in the south while our strong hold resistance is in the middle of beirut what are the resistance in beirut ?stop fouling yourself hizballah killed more lebanese then the israels did they are crimianls and should be sharged for what they did

  11. xdrone Avatar

    Imagine, someone in Lebanon has taken offense in seeing people on bicycles that they had to be kidnapped. A fact about Lebanon, some folks do not wish to see anyone enjoying their time. How is it a kidnapping brings leverage to one’s cause? It doesn’t… The kidnappers will be found and will be held accountable with their lives for their actions.

    No righteousness is just when there is the least wrong in its actions.

  12. xdrone Avatar

    Imagine, someone in Lebanon has taken offense in seeing people on bicycles that they had to be kidnapped. A fact about Lebanon, some folks do not wish to see anyone enjoying their time. How is it a kidnapping brings leverage to one’s cause? It doesn’t… The kidnappers will be found and will be held accountable with their lives for their actions.

    No righteousness is just when there is the least wrong in its actions.

  13.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Imagine, someone in Lebanon has taken offense in seeing people on bicycles that they had to be kidnapped. A fact about Lebanon, some folks do not wish to see anyone enjoying their time. How is it a kidnapping brings leverage to one’s cause? It doesn’t… The kidnappers will be found and will be held accountable with their lives for their actions.

    No righteousness is just when there is the least wrong in its actions.

  14. xdrone Avatar

    On another note:
    “Elie Marouni , a Zahle MP told Future TV on Thursday : “There is a possibility that the abduction of the Estonians and the developments in the Arab world are linked.”
    He expressed concern that the timing of the abductions spells bad news for tourism in Lebanon specially that spring is already here”

    I know it is bad timing and not to be posted here, Tourism is by least the country’s asset. Industries that reside in Lebanon have long been ignored and while these industries provide revenue the whole year round, people still speak of a year’s quarter of revenue from the tourism industry. Perhaps Lebanese waiting on tables is an amiable trait rather an Engineer, Doctor or a Scientist. I am not saying waiting on tables is an inferior job. Work is Work, as long as it is a well paying job, but is it a well paying job in Lebanon? A decent living is all we are asking for…

  15. xdrone Avatar

    On another note:
    “Elie Marouni , a Zahle MP told Future TV on Thursday : “There is a possibility that the abduction of the Estonians and the developments in the Arab world are linked.”
    He expressed concern that the timing of the abductions spells bad news for tourism in Lebanon specially that spring is already here”

    I know it is bad timing and not to be posted here, Tourism is by least the country’s asset. Industries that reside in Lebanon have long been ignored and while these industries provide revenue the whole year round, people still speak of a year’s quarter of revenue from the tourism industry. Perhaps Lebanese waiting on tables is an amiable trait rather an Engineer, Doctor or a Scientist. I am not saying waiting on tables is an inferior job. Work is Work, as long as it is a well paying job, but is it a well paying job in Lebanon? A decent living is all we are asking for…

  16.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    On another note:
    “Elie Marouni , a Zahle MP told Future TV on Thursday : “There is a possibility that the abduction of the Estonians and the developments in the Arab world are linked.”
    He expressed concern that the timing of the abductions spells bad news for tourism in Lebanon specially that spring is already here”

    I know it is bad timing and not to be posted here, Tourism is by least the country’s asset. Industries that reside in Lebanon have long been ignored and while these industries provide revenue the whole year round, people still speak of a year’s quarter of revenue from the tourism industry. Perhaps Lebanese waiting on tables is an amiable trait rather an Engineer, Doctor or a Scientist. I am not saying waiting on tables is an inferior job. Work is Work, as long as it is a well paying job, but is it a well paying job in Lebanon? A decent living is all we are asking for…

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