Lebanese, Syrians victims of counter-abductions

At least seven Lebanese and Syrian citizens have been kidnapped in northern Lebanon near the border with Syria, the first such reported abductions fuelled by tensions over the uprising in Syria that have spilled into its small neighbour. The tit-for-tat abductions occurred in the Wadi Khaled border region between the two countries, where tensions have run high between supporters and opponents of the regime in Syria, the sources said. Residents said on Monday the abductions started on Saturday when a hardline Lebanese supporter of the Syrian revolt against President Bashar al-Assad was kidnapped by supporters of the regime. Lebanon’s northern frontier is also home to both camps, whose loyalties often extend over the border. Several kidnappings of Lebanese and Syrians have recently occurred in Wadi Khaled, which hosts thousands of Syrian refugees who have fled repression in their country. The opposition Syrian National Council has repeatedly accused the Damascus regime of breaching the border with Lebanon and of launching attacks against Lebanese citizens and Syria refugees alike. Lebanon has also witnessed deadly violence over the past weeks, namely in the northern port city of Tripoli where supporters and opponents of the Syrian regime have clashed. Dozens have been killed and tensions are still high in the area.