Druze spiritual leader calls for calm

Lebanon’s Druze spiritual leader said Thursday he was extremely worried by security incidents in north Lebanon, especially the sectarian kidnappings in Akkar Sunday. “This requires that all political factions and relevant sides, the Cabinet and state bodies, as well as all Lebanese be aware of the dangers of these events and work decisively on restoring calm ... and distancing Lebanon from conflicts before it is too late,” said Sheikh Naim Hasan. A Sunni was kidnapped Sunday from Akkar’s Wadi Khaled and handed to Syrian authorities, sparking retaliatory abductions between Sunnis and Alawites in the northern district. The conflict was resolved when Khaled Ahmad Suleiman was handed back to Lebanese authorities two days later. Hasan said retaliatory kidnappings revived horrible memories of Lebanon’s 1975-1990 Civil War. By The Daily Star