An Army Intelligence unit successfully freed the kidnapped Saudi national Mashari al-Mutteiry on the Lebanese-Syrian border. An official statement issued by the Lebanese Armed Forces stated that several suspects have been apprehended in the process.

According to Army sources, the kidnappers, most of whom from the Jaafar clan in Baalbeck, Lebanon, were attempting to sneak the kidnappee into Syrian territory.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the kidnapping and called upon all security agencies to reinforce security measures in order to prevent such acts from reoccurring in the future.

“The kidnapping of a Saudi citizen is condemned on all levels. We commend the Lebanese Army for their exceptional efforts in liberating the kidnappee and arresting the kidnappers,” Mikati said.

MTV reported that the kidnappee is now in the custody of the Army intelligence Hermel bureau, and that several wanted individuals have been arrested.

Elaborating on how the kidnapping occurred, the Army statement said that two stolen cars carrying seven people carried out the act. Four of the perpetrators have thus far been identified.

Following the incident, the Army conducted an extensive raid in the Shrawneh neighborhood of Baalbeck in an attempt to locate the kidnapped Saudi national.

Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi credited the successful outcome to the consolidated efforts of the security agencies.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari said that “the Lebanese Army’s efforts in the rescue mission to liberate the kidnapped Saudi national in less than 48 hours were tremendous. I would like to extend my gratitude to Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi and the Lebanese Army commander for all their effort.”

In a statement issued by his office, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri commended the great efforts deployed by the Lebanese Armed Forces to release the kidnapped Saudi national, as he called on all the security agencies to persevere in order to arrest all the involved individuals.

For his part, MP Jihad Pakradouni extended congratulations via Twitter to the Lebanese Army and the Interior Ministry for the high level of professionalism and coordination that resulted in the freeing of the kidnapped Saudi official.

Kataeb Party Leader MP Sami Gemayel also congratulated the Lebanese Army and the security agencies for their impeccable work, as he emphasized the need for the perpetrators to face the full force of the law.

MP Tony Frangieh called for severe measures in order to put an end to such actions that jeapordize Lebanon’s diplomatic ties with its Arab neighbors in general and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular.

MTV sources said that the head of the kidnapping mob has been identified as the notorious drug dealer Ali Mounzer Zeaiter, also known as “Abu Salleh.”

The Army has thus far arrested 12 suspects.