Naharnet - Estonian Video Likely to Have Been Shot in Bekaa - April 25, 2011

Official sources noted that the video of the seven Estonian cyclists kidnapped in Lebanon was probably filmed in the Bekaa area less than a week after their abduction, reported the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat on Monday. They confirmed that the security forces' approved a number of procedures after the recent security meeting that was held last week headed by caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri. They stressed that the search for the Estonians has not ended. The Estonians went missing in the eastern Bekaa Valley after entering Lebanon from Syria.  The motive for their abduction remains unclear. Eleven Lebanese have been charged with the kidnapping. Authorities have said the Estonians may have been moved across the porous border to Syria. A previously unheard of group, Haraket al-Nahda Wal-Islah (Movement for Renewal and Reform), has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and demanded an unspecified ransom to free the Estonians. The claim was made in an email to local website, but has not been authenticated by security officials. A video of the captives was released online last week. Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi said Thursday that the ISF was "thoroughly examining" the online video that was posted on YouTube. The video has since been removed.