Syrian man freed by army in Baalbek after kidnapping

BEIRUT — A Syrian individual was released by the Lebanese Army's intelligence services in Baalbeck, Bekaa, the army reported on its Twitter account Saturday. The man, identified by his initials BT, was kidnapped on July 25.

Here's what we know:

    • The Bekaa is often the scene of of trafficking, kidnappings and settling of accounts between rival factions. In general, the army struggles to contain these incidents, and weapons circulate freely in a region where the clans make their own law.

   • Just this morning, a Lebanese Army patrol came under fire while on patrol in the al-Sharawneh neighborhood of Baalbeck, while conducting a search for suspects. One of the suspect was killed and another injured, and no soldiers were injured, the army reported.

   • A few days ago, a Saudi national was kidnapped on his arrival at Beirut airport by a gang who lured him to buy a property on the Bekaa plain.