Lebanese priest kidnapped, ransom demanded

By Weedah Hamzah

Beirut (dpa) – Gunmen have kidnapped a Lebanese priest near the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt and are demanding a ransom in return for his release, Lebanese radio reported Thursday.

     Lebanon’s Consul in Nigeria, Shawki Bou Nassar, has informed the Foreign Ministry that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom, the value of which has not been disclosed, to release priest George Kairouz, broadcasters reported.

     Kairouz was kidnapped on Tuesday night in Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s oil capital.

     Hundreds of mostly foreign and local oil workers have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta since 2006. Many have been released unharmed, though some were freed only after ransom payments.