BEIRUT — Seven men from Akkar, in northern Lebanon, who were kidnapped and taken to Syria under the promise they would be smuggled to Europe, were freed on Friday after negotiations between Lebanese Army intelligence, the kidnappers and Bekaa clans who intervened to rescue the men.

The kidnappers had been paid $6,000 by each of the seven men, who were from the villages of Bebnine and Knaisseh, to take them by sea to Europe. Instead, they kidnapped the men and took them over the border into Syria, where they demanded a ransom for their release.

Clans from the Bekaa Valley had recently drawn closer to the people of Akkar after taking refuge in the north during the intense Israeli bombardment that targeted much of the valley. These clans intervened to free the young men from the north when they were kidnapped and even threatened the kidnappers should they not release them.

The men were questioned by the Lebanese authorities upon their release and are all said to be in good health. The army did not immediately comment on this operation.

Reporting contributed by Sarah Abdallah in the Bekaa and Michel Hallak in northern Lebanon.