The Daily Star - Lebanon detains Syrian activist: activists, July 11 2012

BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities have detained a Syrian dissident on the weekend upon his arrival from Egypt, activists and a security source said, as a watchdog expressed concern he could be deported to Syria.

Speaking to AFP, a security source confirmed the detention of Zakaria Mutlak, 26.

"He was wanted by Lebanon's military," the General Security source told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that a request had been put to all security agencies to cooperate in his detention.

"I don't know why he has been detained," the source said, adding that Mutlak was handed over to the military.

According to Beirut-based Syrian activist Kinan Ali, Mutlak was arrested at Beirut International Airport on July 8 as he stepped off a flight from Cairo.

"Mutlak was also one of the first activists to be detained in Syria when the revolt broke out," Ali said, adding that "he was forced to go on television in May last year and 'confess' that he was dealing with 'armed terrorists'."

Syrian authorities arrested Mutlak in the early days of the uprising that erupted in March last year but later released him, Ali said.

Earlier this year Mutlak was in the Homs city rebel stronghold of Baba Amr, which government troops pounded relentlessly for a month until seizing control of the neighborhood in March.

"He left Syria around five months ago, after being wounded in Baba Amr," and traveled to Saudi Arabia for treatment before heading out to Egypt, Ali said.

The Syrian League for Human Rights issued a statement on Wednesday condemning Mutlak's arrest and expressing "deep concern" that Lebanese authorities could deport him to Syria.

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