Syrian troops abduct Lebanese in cross-border raid

Syrian troops on Wednesday briefly kidnapped a Lebanese man during a cross-border raid in the eastern region of Bekaa, a security official told AFP. The official, who requested anonymity, said the troops abducted Khaled al-Hujairi in Arsal, a remote area located along the border between the two countries, and set fire to a shed belonging to the local mayor Ali al-Hujairi. A family member contacted by AFP said Khaled al-Hujairi was later handed over to the Lebanese army. "He was farming on his land and a Syrian army patrol came and snatched him," said Mohammad Hassan al-Hujairi. "The Lebanese army negotiated his release." Syrian troops have carried out a number of cross-border raids into Lebanon since the outbreak of the revolt against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, sparking fears of a spillover of the conflict.