December 23, 2009 - Naharnet - Could Joseph Sader Become his Family's Christmas Gift?

The abduction of Middle East Airlines engineer Joseph Sader came back to the spotlight after Orange TV reported that two Lebanese officials expected the man's release soon.

OTV wondered during its evening newscast on Tuesday whether Sader would become his family's Christmas gift. The TV station quoted one official as saying that Hizbullah was behind Sader's kidnapping on the airport road on February 12, 2009. The official said that the engineer had most probably "divulged some information" but was not an Israeli spy.

The other official, however, denied that "Hizbullah had any info about the kidnapping."

Following lengthy talks, the two officials confirmed that Sader was doing fine and his kidnappers could release him anytime soon. The officials added that security forces could find the man at an isolated house without arresting his abductors.

Minister Boutros Harb said last week that Sader was still alive and information made available for security forces confirms that the man was not dead. However, army and police sources had denied they had any new info on the engineer's kidnapping.