Lebanese Businessman Kidnapped for Ransom in Batroun

Gunmen abducted on Thursday night a Lebanese businessman in the northern region of Batroun, demanding a ransom in return for his release, reported LBCI television on Saturday.

It said that Bassam Tleh Tarbey, 50, was kidnapped in exchange for $4million.

It stated that four gunmen, riding in a black SUV, abducted Tarbey at midnight on Thursday upon his arrival to the garage of his residence in Batroun.

They have since taken him to an unknown location.

On Friday, the kidnappers telephoned Tarbey's brother Ghassan to demand the ransom.

According to Ghassan Tarbey, the abductor spoke with a Syrian accent, reported Voice of Lebanon radio.

The captive is the owner of a tug boat company operating in Syria's port city of Tartous.