ISF Frees Syrian Man Kidnapped in Tripoli, Arrests 6

The Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch has freed a Syrian, who was kidnapped more than two weeks ago in the northern city of Tripoli, and arrested six suspects, the state-run National News Agency reported Wednesday.

NNA said Ramzi Youssef Labadi was kidnapped in Tripoli's al-Mina on Nov. 10, and his abductors had asked for a $200,000 ransom.

Following intense investigation, the Intelligence Branch arrested six people involved in the kidnapping and freed Labadi, it said.

No ransom was paid, the agency added, without giving further details on the identity or nationality of the abductors.

The war in neighboring Syria has led to the rise of kidnappings in Lebanon.

Security sources have said that the abduction of mainly wealthy businessmen has risen more than seven-fold.

Gangs, which once made their money smuggling fuel and contraband through the porous border with Syria, are turning to kidnapping to make profit after their trade withered because of the violence there, they said.