January 28, 2010 - The Daily Star - Lebanon case of abducted Bekaa imam.

Lebanon's LAF in hunt for abducted Bekaa imam

Daily Star staff

BEIRUT: The imam of the mosque of the Bekaa town of Majdal Anjar, Sheikh Mohammad Abdel-Fattah al-Majzoub was abducted on Tuesday evening, security reports said. Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani soon afterward condemned “all actions aiming to shake Lebanon’s stability.” Majzoub, the leading religious figure of Imam al-Rifaii Mosque in Majdal Anjar was kidnapped in front of the mosque at 11:30 pm. His white Mercedes vehicle was found on the side of the road with its engine still running, and his turban was found on the floor.
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) units cordoned off the area and launched investigations to try to locate the imam with the help of Internal Security forces (ISF).
A delegation from Majdal Anjar visited Grand Mufti Qabbani on Wednesday and briefed him about the incident. The delegation said the imam’s “daring stances on previous national events” could have been the reason behind his disappearance.
Qabbani strongly condemned the kidnapping and “all kidnappings, killings and actions spreading terror in Lebanon and aiming to shake the country’s stability and security.”
He added that such actions served Israel, especially after the formation of a national unity government because they aimed at compromising the country’s stability once again.
Qabbani contacted Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who guaranteed that he would personally follow up on the case until the imam is returned safely and the perpetrators are arrested.
Qabbani then called on the residents of Majdal Anjar to keep calm and collaborate with the authorities, despite their village having been previously targeted for political reasons.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, MP Assem Aarraji said he did not blame anyone for the kidnapping and that he had faith in the security forces working on the case.
“Majdal Anjar is not a terrorist town. It is peaceful and its residents are not above the law,” he added. – The Daily Star