Residents of Baalbeck and the schoolmates of the two kidnapped children protest in the city to demand the their release. (Credit: Photo provided by Sarah Abdallah)
BEIRUT — Residents of Baalbeck and the families of two Syrian teens, who were kidnapped in the Bekaa Valley city 10 days ago while returning from school, protested on Monday to demand the release of the two children, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the area reported.
The schoolmates of the kidnapped — Muhannad and Ghaleb, aged 13 and 15 — blocked the road along with other residents of the city on the highway at the Dowar al-Jalabi roundabout. The demonstrators carried banners saying "We are all Ghaleb, we are all Muhannad" and "where is human dignity?"
The children's uncle Mohamad Mcheik said during the protest that his nephews' kidnappers called from a foreign number and demanded $350,000 and threatened to sell the children's organs. Mcheik also called on security forces and the head of the Lebanese Army to act in order to secure the children's return and to punish the kidnappers.
Violent security incidents in Baalbeck are common. The area, which includes many tribal families who are well armed, is partially outside of government control.