Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Wednesday, July 9, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»News
    3 Mins Read

    Lebanon Helps Free Western Hostages from Syria

    By Vanessa BadaouiAugust 13, 2019Updated:March 5, 2020
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    Not only the Lebanese, but all the middle easterners suffer from a very negative western media portrayal, being accused of terrorism and countless other things. Nevertheless, this is about to change all thanks to our Lebanese Security Forces. 

     

    Lebanon’s security chief, major Abbas Ibrahim, played a vital role in the negotiations to release two tourists who were detained in Syria: An American citizen who was held hostage for about two months and a Canadian citizen who was held hostage for about ten months.

    Via MIDDLE EAST EYE

    Canadian citizen Kristian Lee Baxter was detained in Syria while traveling last year. He arrived in the country on the 26th of November 2018 and was arrested a week later under the accusation of a major violation of local laws. 

     

    Despite that the Canadian authorities tried to negotiate the release of their citizens, they told his mother that they would not be able to help him since Canada closed its embassy in Syria in 2012 due to diplomatic relation problems between both countries.

    Via The National

    U.S Citizen Sam Goodwin was touring the world, aiming at visiting all countries within one year. His adventure ended abruptly in Syria where he was arrested and held captive for two full months. The reasons for his captivity remain unknown to the public. He was last seen on a security camera at leaving the Assia hotel in the city of Qamishli.

     

    Via Heavy

    While all diplomatic attempts and pressures from both countries failed respectively to release their respective citizens, and hope was waning into a thread, Lebanon was at work on both cases, efficiently and discreetly

    In fact, Lebanese ISF General Major Abbas Ibrahim achieved what no major country managed to, negotiating sequentially the release of both detainees and bringing them safely to freedom; Sam Goodwin on July 2019, and Kristian Lee Baxter just this week.

     

    Via AFP

    The detainees, who have lost hope to ever be released, and their families expressed their deep gratitude to Major Abbas Ibrahim.

    In the first case, Goodwin’s parents said that they will be forever indebted to General Abbas and to the whole country of Lebanon for taking the issue so seriously and leading the negotiations that ensured the released of their son.

     

    As for Baxter, he said that if it were not for the Canadian embassy and the Lebanese Security Forces, he could have stayed there forever since people didn’t even know if he were alive.

    Via The National

    News outlets from all around the world have been praising Lebanon for its unique role in freeing the hostages, and the Lebanese ISF and Chief Major General Ibrahim Abbas for the exceptional negotiation skills.

     

    As per the international news, the outstanding success of General Abbas’ mediation has raised Lebanon’s profile abroad for “fostering a unique role in freeing foreign hostages.”

    In fact, it brought Lebanon’s name in numerous communication channels of the world, including The New York Times, Middle East Eye, The National, CBS News, CTV, Radio Canada, and CNN, all praising Lebanon and attributing the success of the mission to the Lebanese Forces’ negotiation skills. 

    Via Ottawa Sun

     

    According to Nicolas Chedrawi, the head of a committee of the Lebanese President, what general Ibrahim did is very important to Lebanon and it adds value to the Lebanese image abroad. Lebanon was able to prove that its importance as a country for its positive actions to the world. Despite all the trouble in the past five weeks, the Lebanese ISF succeeded in rising above all expectations, internally and internationally.

     

    Follow The961 on Instagram!

     
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    whish pay lebanon 961

    You Can Now Use Whish Pay At Shopify Stores

    lebanon cybergames 2025 hacking 961

    Lebanon Just Won A Global Hacking Competition

    visa whish money partnership

    Visa and Whish Money Just Partnered To Push Digital Payments in Lebanon and Abroad

    uae travel ban lebanon 961

    UAE Is Officially Removing The Travel Ban On Lebanon

    Joe Issa El-Khoury 961

    Who is Joe Issa El-Khoury, Lebanon’s New Minister of Industry

    Tamara El-Zein 961

    Who is Tamara El-Zein, Lebanon’s New Minister of Environment

    lebanon jounieh cyprus by ferry 961

    You’ll Soon Be Able To Travel Between Lebanon & Cyprus By Ferry

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    April 22, 2019
    caracalla one thousand and one nights

    Caracalla Just Added More Dates For “One Thousand and One Nights” & You Def Don’t Want To Miss It!

    July 5, 2025

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019
    Low-Cost Lebanese Airline 961

    We Might Finally Be Getting A Low-Cost Lebanese Airline – Here’s What We Know

    June 18, 2025
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    lebanese beer brands almaza beirut beer 961

    Lebanese Beer Brands Are Publicly Throwing Shade, And It’s Getting Frothy

    June 7, 2025
    lebanon cybergames 2025 hacking 961

    Lebanon Just Won A Global Hacking Competition

    June 10, 2025
    DJ

    10 Lebanese DJs You Need To Check Out This Summer

    August 7, 2024
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.