Zeidan talks of his ordeal

Head of the Liban Lait factory, Ahmad Zeidan, who was released from captivity by the Lebanese military early today, saw House Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain Tineh to brief him over circumstances surrounding his kidnapping by unknown gunmen last Wednesday. Accompanying Zeidan to Ain Tineh were local Amal officials from the Bekaa and leading family members. Berri, who commended the release of Ahmad Zeidan without paying any ransom, spoke about attempts to tarnish the reputation of certain Bekaa localities by portraying them as criminal hideouts. The truth of the matter, the Speaker exclaimed, is that those villages are full of honorable straightforward people. He disclosed having requested Zeidan entrepreneurs to double their investment in the Bekaa because by undertaking such activities, one can confront such negative situations. It is to note that the Speaker has been instrumental in securing the release of Zeidan; he conducted overnight intense contacts with army and security to that end. Zeidan's brother, who thanked Berri for his efforts, denied paying any ransom to the kidnappers. On his slight injuries, Ahmad Zeidan told the press that they were incurred during his rescue by the army and that a firefight ensued between his captors and soldiers. Berri accused organized criminals of mounting the kidnapping but exonerated clansmen of the Bekaa as man of honor.