Lebanese group vows more kidnappings after Eid al-Fitr.

BEIRUT

The Lebanese clan that abducted a Turkish citizen last week has vowed more kidnappings after Eid al-Fitr if their captive relative was not released soon.

 “The family took the decision to relieve people during Eid but we will relaunch our movement after the holiday,” the al-Meqdad clan’s spokesman Maher al-Meqdad said in television remarks yesterday, according to Naharnet website. “The family will hold consultations to take the appropriate decisions,” he said.

The clan has captured a Turkish citizen and 20 Syrian nationals in retaliation for the seizure of their family member by rebels in Syria last week. But it later said it was calling off “military operations” and would halt abductions for now. “The Turkish abductee will not be set free as long as Hassan al-Meqdad hasn’t been released,” Maher said, according to the report. Tekin told Anatolia news agency last week he was in good health and called on the Turkish authorities to secure his release soon.

Asked about 11 other Lebanese citizens kidnapped by Syrian rebels since May 22, the spokesman said the clan’s objective was to set Hassan al-Meqdad free. “It’s not logical for us to release the Turkish man if the 11 Lebanese were set free,” he said.