L'orient le jour - L'UNHCR publie son rapport hebdomadaire sur la situation des réfugiés syriens au Liban, April 30th 2012

L’Agence des Nations unies pour les réfugiés (UNHCR) a souligné qu’en collaboration avec le gouvernement libanais, les autorités locales et les partenaires internationaux et locaux, elle apporte une aide à plus de 24 000 réfugiés syriens dans les différentes régions du pays. 
Dans son rapport hebdomadaire sur la situation des réfugiés syriens au Liban, l’agence onusienne indique que près de 11 518 réfugiés sont enregistrés auprès de ses services et que d’autres sont en passe de le faire. La semaine dernière, 1 578 nouvelles inscriptions ont été recueillies.
Selon le rapport, la majorité des réfugiés se trouvent au Liban-Nord, avec plus de 9 000 personnes dans le Akkar et près de 3 000 à Tripoli, et attendent d’être enregistrés.
Toujours selon le rapport de l’UNHCR, quelque 9 000 réfugiés syriens se trouvent dans la Békaa et près de 791 se sont enregistrés à Beyrouth. En ce qui concerne les blessés, 20 personnes ont été hospitalisées.
L’UNHCR précise en outre qu’elle a assuré aux réfugiés syriens des détergents, du ciment, des équipements électriques et d’autres équipements nécessaires pour la réhabilitation des maisons dans lesquelles ils se sont réfugiés. Vingt nouveaux logis nécessitant une réhabilitation ont été identifiés.
Dans son rapport, l’UNHCR indique par ailleurs qu’à partir du 4 mai, une formation à la santé psychique et mentale sera organisée à l’intention des médecins, des infirmiers et infirmières et assistants sociaux, en collaboration avec l’Organisation mondiale de la santé, le ministère de la Santé et l’ordre des médecins. De plus, les sessions de sensibilisation sanitaires à l’intention des réfugiés syriens sont élargies à d’autres régions du Liban.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/Liban/article/756858/L'UNHCR_publie_son_rapport_hebdomadaire_sur_la_situation_des_refugies_syriens_au_Liban.html

The Daily Star - Former STL investigator says case rests on solid evidence, witnesses, April 30th 2012

BEIRUT: Former chief investigator with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Nick Kaldas admitted mistakes had been made in the course of the probe into the assassination of statesmen Rafik Hariri but said that solid evidence against the four suspects goes beyond telecoms data to include witnesses, a local daily reported Monday.

Speaking to An-Nahar newspaper, Kaldas described the facts and evidence in the case as “tangible and solid” and as not being politicized or influenced by anyone.

When asked whether the evidence against the four members of Hezbollah who are suspects in the case was based solely on telecoms data, Kaldas responded in the negative, saying there was even firmer evidence the disclosure of which is at the discretion of the court, and that there were witnesses.

Kaldas would not give further details on the witnesses.

He also reiterated his retort to Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, who accused Kaldas of being a stooge for Israel and the CIA, calling the accusation "a lie."

In July 2011, the STL indicted Salim Jamil Ayyash, Mustafa Amine Badreddine, Hussein Hassan Oneissi and Assad Hassan Sabra – all members of Hezbollah – in the assassination of Hariri, who was killed on Feb. 14, 2005.

Hezbollah has denied involvement in the assassination and described the international court as part of an "Israeli-American project,” aimed at targeting the resistance and sowing strife in the country.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Apr-30/171908-former-stl-investigator-says-case-rests-on-solid-evidence-witnesses.ashx#axzz1tWh0HdIp

Now Lebanon - Protest in Tripoli calls for releasing Islamist detainees, NNA reports, April 27th 2012

A protest kicked off on Friday in North Lebanon’s Tripoli during which protesters called for releasing Islamist detainees in the country, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The report said protesters blocked the streets located in the area, as they also held aloft pictures of the detainees. 

Future bloc MP Khaled Daher, in addition to a number of clerics, participated in the event.

The protesters said the protest will remain open until the Islamist detainees are released, the NNA reported.

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=390389#

Naharnet - Judge requests death penalty for men indicted in Estonians’ abduction, April 27th 2012

Military Investigative Judge Fadi Sawwan requested the death penalty for 26 people accused of kidnapping seven Estonians in Lebanon last year.

“Sawwan requested the death penalty for 26 people, nine of whom are in [Lebanese] custody and 19 of whom are on the run,” the NNA quoted Sawwan’s indictment as saying.

The indictment also said that a Syrian national, identified as Mohammad Ahmad Maarouf, was currently in Syrian custody.

Sawwan indicted all 26 people of forming a “gang to commit felonies and harm the state’s prestige,” and linked the gang to the Fateh al-Islam organization - which the Lebanese army fought against in the Palestinian Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in 2007.

The NNA added that Sawwan transferred the case to the permanent military court for trial.

Seven Estonians were abducted in Lebanon in March 2011. They were freed in July, almost four months after being abducted by armed men as they entered the country on a bicycle tour from neighboring Syria.

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=390012#

L'orient le jour - Peine de mort requise contre 26 personnes liées à l’enlèvement des sept Estoniens, April 27th 2012

Le tribunal militaire a requis la peine de mort hier contre 26 personnes pour leur implication dans l’enlèvement de sept cyclistes estoniens en 2011 dans la Békaa.
Le tribunal avait déjà inculpé 29 personnes liées à cette affaire, ainsi que dans d’autres crimes commis l’année dernière à travers le pays.
Outre leur implication dans l’enlèvement des Estoniens, les suspects ont été reconnus coupables de participation à une organisation criminelle, atteinte à la sécurité de l’État, association avec le groupuscule terroriste Fateh el-Islam, utilisation d’armes sans permis, meurtre du policier Rached Sabri et attaque contre le bureau des services de renseignements des Forces de sécurité intérieure (FSI).
Ils ont également été reconnus coupables de cambriolage avec port d’armes et de falsification de cartes d’identité et de passeports libanais. Les hommes sont aussi accusés d’avoir fait exploser des débits d’alcool et d’avoir vandalisé des monuments chrétiens.
Parmi les 29 suspects, dont un Syrien, neuf sont actuellement en détention, alors que les autres sont encore recherchés.
Les sept Estoniens avaient été enlevés le 23 mars 2011 dans la vallée de la Békaa, quelques heures seulement après leur entrée au Liban en provenance de Syrie à vélo. Ils avaient été libérés le 14 juillet dernier.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/Liban/article/756498/Peine_de_mort_requise_contre_26_personnes_liees_a_l'enlevement_des_sept_Esto

The Daily Star - ICRC says rise in number of wounded Syrians entering Lebanon, April 27th 2012

BEIRUT: The International Committee for the Red Cross has stepped up its operations in Lebanon in response to the increase in the number of Syrian refugees fleeing unrest in their home country.

"Since January, the number of Syrian casualties entering Lebanon has increased significantly, reflecting the escalation in the violence. In response, we have stepped up our assistance, providing whatever support we felt was vitally needed," said Jürg Montani, the head of the ICRC delegation in Beirut, said in an operational update Thursday.

As part of its efforts, the ICRC has helped Lebanon’s Red Cross in the transferring of wounded Syrian refugees to hospitals by establishing a temporary medical emergency station “that has made it possible for Lebanese Red Cross ambulances to reach arriving casualties much more quickly.”

Among its efforts since September, the international organization said it had provided support enabling Lebanese Red Cross emergency services to evacuate more than 500 casualties and handed out materials to treat 400 seriously wounded patients to three hospitals in north Lebanon treating Syrian casualties.

Thousands of Syrians have poured into the country since unrest erupted in Lebanon’s neighbor in April 2011.

Last week the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said it and its partners were now assisting over 22,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, an increase of 2,000 since the previous reporting period.

Less than half of those, 9,940, are actually registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and Lebanon’s Higher Relief Committee, and all in the north of the country, representing an increase of 274 since last week. Activists say the total number of displaced Syrians in Lebanon is much higher than 22,000.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Apr-27/171610-icrc-says-rise-in-number-of-wounded-syrians-entering-lebanon.ashx#axzz1t3xxZ1UM

The Daily Star - EU supports Lebanon reforms with 30 mln euros, April 27th 2012

By Hussein Dakroub

BEIRUT: The European Union voiced support Thursday for Lebanon’s democracy, announcing an additional 30-million-euro allocation with the aim of accelerating the country’s reforms.

The announcement was made following talks in Brussels between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, who declared that the EU supported Lebanon’s stability as well as political and economic reforms.

In an apparent political boost for the Mikati Cabinet, Barroso announced an additional 30 million euro allocation to Lebanon with the aim of bolstering its democracy. The amount comes on top of this year’s allocation of 62 million euros to Lebanon.

Barroso said he appreciated Mikati’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in Lebanon despite the wave of popular upheavals in some Arab countries. He said Lebanon has for long been a partner of the EU and an active member in the EU’s neighborhood policy.

“The EU supports peace and stability in the region. It also supports all those who are committed to the democratic and peaceful path,” he told a joint news conference with Mikati in Brussels.

“Our meeting today was constructive and fruitful. It was an opportunity to convey to Prime Minister Mikati a message of strong support and encouragement to press ahead with the necessary political, economic and social reforms,” Barroso said. He added that the European states are convinced the only way to guarantee long-term stability is through reforms.

“In the past few months, Lebanon has taken important steps toward supporting progress in the implementation of the European political agenda. However, we at the same time believe that more can be done,” Barroso said.

“With the aim of strengthening democracy in Lebanon, I am happy to announce an additional 30 million euro allocation from the SPRING (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) instrument ... This [amount] comes on top of allocation to Lebanon of 62 million euro,” Barroso said. “The message we want to send to Lebanon is very clear. We stand on Lebanon’s side,” he added.

For his part, Mikati said his government was determined to carry out political, economic and social reforms undeterred by turbulence in some Arab countries as a result of pro-democracy popular uprisings. He also defended his government’s policy to insulate Lebanon from the repercussions of the turmoil in Syria, saying most foreign states have praised this policy.

Mikati told Barroso maintaining stability in Lebanon would not prevent his government from carrying out all necessary reforms, no matter how painful they are.

“Lebanon has always constituted an example of tolerance and democracy for regional states. Amid the changes in the Arab world, we must maintain and boost these values,” Mikati said. “Therefore, we are serious about implementing political, economic and social reforms that will ensure long-term stability,” he added.

Referring to 13 months of popular upheaval against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Mikati said: “Lebanon’s position is fully clear. We have taken a decision to dissociate ourselves from what is happening in Syria because of our special relationship with Syria, including historic, economic and social ties. Also, 80 percent of our border is with Syria and our relationship with it goes far back.”

Acknowledging that rival March 8 and March 14 parties were deeply split over the crisis in Syria, Mikati said Lebanon’s interests could not be served by stirring up trouble in the country because of the unrest in the neighboring state.

“While we are dissociating ourselves from what is happening, we do not want to have more differences in our society, which is already divided,” he said. “Today, all states appreciate what we are doing. What is important is to try to maintain stability in Lebanon.”

Later, Mikati, who is accompanied by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahas, held talks with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule on projects financed by the EU in Lebanon.

“We have discussed Lebanon’s reform efforts and the EU’s assistance based on the more for more principle,” Füle said after the meeting. “For the EU, it is important that Lebanon advances with reforms since they bring benefits to the people in the country and also open doors for more support and assistance from the EU.

Referring to the additional 30 million euro allocation to Lebanon, Fule said: “This top-up reflects the EU’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s reforms in the field of institution-building, democracy, including civil society, good governance and human rights as well as inclusive economic growth.”

Earlier Thursday, Mikati met with the president of the Belgian lower house of parliament, Andre Flahaut, and the president of the Belgian senate, Sabine de Bethune. Mikati said his government was fulfilling its humanitarian duties toward Syrian refugees in Lebanon. He noted the cooperation between Lebanon and international organizations in terms of assisting the 22,000 Syrian refugees in the country.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Apr-27/171583-eu-supports-lebanon-reforms-with-30-mln-euros.ashx#axzz1t3xxZ1UM

The Daily Star - Emirates Red Crescent boosts medical aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, April 27th 2012

BEIRUT: The United Arab Emirates Red Crescent (UAERC) has prepared large quantities of medicine destined to a hospital in north Lebanon to help in the treatment of Syrian refugees as part of the group’s relief efforts in the country, WAM reported Friday.

The Emirates News Agency said the aid was destined to Tripoli Hospital as part of the UAERC’s ongoing relief efforts to assist Syrian refugees fleeing unrest in their home country.

The UAERC delegation enhanced its relief operations after an on-the-ground assessment, which included evaluating the supply needs of Tripoli Hospital and other medical facilities located in border towns in the Bekaa, Akkar and Arsal.

At Tripoli Hospital, the delegation has begun providing medical supplies for new born babies.

The report added that hospitals in the region faced significant challenges as a result of the increased number of patients seeking medical attention.

According to the latest weekly report from the UNHCR, there are now 22,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Less than half of those, 9,940, are actually registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and Lebanon’s Higher Relief Committee.

In Lebanon, the refugee population is concentrated in the north, with around 9,000 displaced people in the region. A further 3,000 in the city of Tripoli itself are awaiting registration, the UNHCR said in its report.

Activists believe the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is much higher than the UNHCR estimate.

WAM also said that the UAERC delegation continues to distribute food parcels to Syrian families in Sidon, south Lebanon, and surrounding areas, where it said many Syrian families reside.

It quoted Saleh al-Taii, a UAERC official, as saying that the UAERC would boost cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross and international organizations working to better the conditions of refugees.

The delegation is also working with Doctors without Borders and has agreed to hold frequent meetings to discuss the situation of refugees and strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in various fields.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Apr-27/171621-uaerc-boosts-medical-aid-to-syrian-refugees-in-lebanon.ashx#axzz1t3xxZ1UM

L'orient Le Jour - Peine de mort requise contre 26 personnes liées à l’enlèvement des sept Estoniens, Vendredi, Avril 27, 2012

Le tribunal militaire a requis la peine de mort hier contre 26 personnes pour leur implication dans l’enlèvement de sept cyclistes estoniens en 2011 dans la Békaa.
Le tribunal avait déjà inculpé 29 personnes liées à cette affaire, ainsi que dans d’autres crimes commis l’année dernière à travers le pays.
Outre leur implication dans l’enlèvement des Estoniens, les suspects ont été reconnus coupables de participation à une organisation criminelle, atteinte à la sécurité de l’État, association avec le groupuscule terroriste Fateh el-Islam, utilisation d’armes sans permis, meurtre du policier Rached Sabri et attaque contre le bureau des services de renseignements des Forces de sécurité intérieure (FSI).
Ils ont également été reconnus coupables de cambriolage avec port d’armes et de falsification de cartes d’identité et de passeports libanais. Les hommes sont aussi accusés d’avoir fait exploser des débits d’alcool et d’avoir vandalisé des monuments chrétiens.
Parmi les 29 suspects, dont un Syrien, neuf sont actuellement en détention, alors que les autres sont encore recherchés.
Les sept Estoniens avaient été enlevés le 23 mars 2011 dans la vallée de la Békaa, quelques heures seulement après leur entrée au Liban en provenance de Syrie à vélo. Ils avaient été libérés le 14 juillet dernier.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/Liban/article/756498/Peine_de_mort_requise_contre_26_personnes_liees_a_l'enlevement_des_sept_Esto

Daily Star - ICRC says rise in number of wounded Syrians entering Lebanon, 27 April 2012

BEIRUT: The International Committee for the Red Cross has stepped up its operations in Lebanon in response to the increase in the number of Syrian refugees fleeing unrest in their home country.

"Since January, the number of Syrian casualties entering Lebanon has increased significantly, reflecting the escalation in the violence. In response, we have stepped up our assistance, providing whatever support we felt was vitally needed," said Jürg Montani , the head of the ICRC delegation in Beirut, said in an operational update Thursday.

As part of its efforts, the ICRC has helped Lebanon’s Red Cross in the transferring of wounded Syrian refugees to hospitals by establishing a temporary medical emergency station “that has made it possible for Lebanese Red Cross ambulances to reach arriving casualties much more quickly.”

Among its efforts since September, the international organization said it had provided support enabling Lebanese Red Cross emergency services to evacuate more than 500 casualties and handed out materials to treat 400 seriously wounded patients to three hospitals in north Lebanon treating Syrian casualties.

Thousands of Syrians have poured into the country since unrest erupted in Lebanon’s neighbor in April 2011.

Last week the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said it and its partners were now assisting over 22,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, an increase of 2,000 since the previous reporting period.

Less than half of those, 9,940, are actually registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and Lebanon’s Higher Relief Committee, and all in the north of the country, representing an increase of 274 since last week. Activists say the total number of displaced Syrians in Lebanon is much higher than 22,000.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Apr-27/171610-icrc-says-rise-in-number-of-wounded-syrians-entering-lebanon.ashx#axzz1t3xxZ1UM

Daily Star - EU supports Lebanon reforms with 30 mln euros, 27 April 2012

By Hussein Dakroub

BEIRUT: The European Union voiced support Thursday for Lebanon’s democracy, announcing an additional 30-million-euro allocation with the aim of accelerating the country’s reforms.

The announcement was made following talks in Brussels between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, who declared that the EU supported Lebanon’s stability as well as political and economic reforms.

In an apparent political boost for the Mikati Cabinet, Barroso announced an additional 30 million euro allocation to Lebanon with the aim of bolstering its democracy. The amount comes on top of this year’s allocation of 62 million euros to Lebanon.

Barroso said he appreciated Mikati’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in Lebanon despite the wave of popular upheavals in some Arab countries. He said Lebanon has for long been a partner of the EU and an active member in the EU’s neighborhood policy.

“The EU supports peace and stability in the region. It also supports all those who are committed to the democratic and peaceful path,” he told a joint news conference with Mikati in Brussels.

“Our meeting today was constructive and fruitful. It was an opportunity to convey to Prime Minister Mikati a message of strong support and encouragement to press ahead with the necessary political, economic and social reforms,” Barroso said. He added that the European states are convinced the only way to guarantee long-term stability is through reforms.

“In the past few months, Lebanon has taken important steps toward supporting progress in the implementation of the European political agenda. However, we at the same time believe that more can be done,” Barroso said.

“With the aim of strengthening democracy in Lebanon, I am happy to announce an additional 30 million euro allocation from the SPRING (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) instrument ... This [amount] comes on top of allocation to Lebanon of 62 million euro,” Barroso said. “The message we want to send to Lebanon is very clear. We stand on Lebanon’s side,” he added.

For his part, Mikati said his government was determined to carry out political, economic and social reforms undeterred by turbulence in some Arab countries as a result of pro-democracy popular uprisings. He also defended his government’s policy to insulate Lebanon from the repercussions of the turmoil in Syria, saying most foreign states have praised this policy.

Mikati told Barroso maintaining stability in Lebanon would not prevent his government from carrying out all necessary reforms, no matter how painful they are.

“Lebanon has always constituted an example of tolerance and democracy for regional states. Amid the changes in the Arab world, we must maintain and boost these values,” Mikati said. “Therefore, we are serious about implementing political, economic and social reforms that will ensure long-term stability,” he added.

Referring to 13 months of popular upheaval against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Mikati said: “Lebanon’s position is fully clear. We have taken a decision to dissociate ourselves from what is happening in Syria because of our special relationship with Syria, including historic, economic and social ties. Also, 80 percent of our border is with Syria and our relationship with it goes far back.”

Acknowledging that rival March 8 and March 14 parties were deeply split over the crisis in Syria, Mikati said Lebanon’s interests could not be served by stirring up trouble in the country because of the unrest in the neighboring state.

“While we are dissociating ourselves from what is happening, we do not want to have more differences in our society, which is already divided,” he said. “Today, all states appreciate what we are doing. What is important is to try to maintain stability in Lebanon.”

Later, Mikati, who is accompanied by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahas, held talks with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule on projects financed by the EU in Lebanon.

“We have discussed Lebanon’s reform efforts and the EU’s assistance based on the more for more principle,” Füle said after the meeting. “For the EU, it is important that Lebanon advances with reforms since they bring benefits to the people in the country and also open doors for more support and assistance from the EU.

Referring to the additional 30 million euro allocation to Lebanon, Fule said: “This top-up reflects the EU’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s reforms in the field of institution-building, democracy, including civil society, good governance and human rights as well as inclusive economic growth.”

Earlier Thursday, Mikati met with the president of the Belgian lower house of parliament, Andre Flahaut, and the president of the Belgian senate, Sabine de Bethune. Mikati said his government was fulfilling its humanitarian duties toward Syrian refugees in Lebanon. He noted the cooperation between Lebanon and international organizations in terms of assisting the 22,000 Syrian refugees in the country.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Apr-27/171583-eu-supports-lebanon-reforms-with-30-mln-euros.ashx#axzz1t3xxZ1UM

Daily Star - Emirates Red Crescent boosts medical aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, 27 April 2012

BEIRUT: The United Arab Emirates Red Crescent (UAERC) has prepared large quantities of medicine destined to a hospital in north Lebanon to help in the treatment of Syrian refugees as part of the group’s relief efforts in the country, WAM reported Friday.

The Emirates News Agency said the aid was destined to Tripoli Hospital as part of the UAERC’s ongoing relief efforts to assist Syrian refugees fleeing unrest in their home country.

The UAERC delegation enhanced its relief operations after an on-the-ground assessment, which included evaluating the supply needs of Tripoli Hospital and other medical facilities located in border towns in the Bekaa, Akkar and Arsal.

At Tripoli Hospital, the delegation has begun providing medical supplies for new born babies.

The report added that hospitals in the region faced significant challenges as a result of the increased number of patients seeking medical attention.

According to the latest weekly report from the UNHCR, there are now 22,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Less than half of those, 9,940, are actually registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and Lebanon’s Higher Relief Committee.

In Lebanon, the refugee population is concentrated in the north, with around 9,000 displaced people in the region. A further 3,000 in the city of Tripoli itself are awaiting registration, the UNHCR said in its report.

Activists believe the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is much higher than the UNHCR estimate.

WAM also said that the UAERC delegation continues to distribute food parcels to Syrian families in Sidon, south Lebanon, and surrounding areas, where it said many Syrian families reside.

It quoted Saleh al-Taii, a UAERC official, as saying that the UAERC would boost cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross and international organizations working to better the conditions of refugees.

The delegation is also working with Doctors without Borders and has agreed to hold frequent meetings to discuss the situation of refugees and strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in various fields.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Apr-27/171621-uaerc-boosts-medical-aid-to-syrian-refugees-in-lebanon.ashx#axzz1t3xxZ1UM

Naharnet - Death Sentence Ordered against 26 Suspects Linked to Estonian Abduction, April 26th 2012

The military tribunal issued the death sentence on Thursday against 26 individuals for their involvement in the 2011 abduction of the seven Estonian cyclists.

The tribunal had charged 29 suspects for being involved in the crime, as well as a number of others committed in Lebanon over the past year.

Besides their involvement in the abduction, the suspects were charged with forming a crime gang, undermining the authority of the state, being associated with the Fatah al-Islam militant group, using unauthorized weapons, killing security forces member Rashed Sabri, and attacking members of the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau.

They have also been found guilty of armed robbery and forging Lebanese passports and identification cards.

In addition, they have been charged with bombing stores that sell liquor and vandalizing Christian monuments.

Of the 29 suspects, nine are in custody, while the rest remain at large and they include a Syrian national, Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed, also known as Abu Zarif, who has been held by the Syrian authorities.

He has not yet been handed over to Lebanese authorities.

The seven Estonian cyclists were kidnapped in Lebanon in March 2011 as they entered the country from Syria.

They were abducted in the eastern Bekaa and kept in captivity in Lebanon and Syria until July of that year.

Wael Abbas, the suspected ringleader in the abduction, was arrested in November 2011.

He was detained by Syrian security forces as he was attempting to escape to the country through a false ID.

In September, the Internal Security Forces killed two accomplices of the alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping during clashes in the area of al-Bireh in Rashaya.

Later that month, two Intelligence Branch officers were injured when they were ambushed by armed men in the hunt for the kidnappers in the village of Jlala near Shtaura.

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/38222