BEIRUT, Aug 27, (Agencies): A Kuwaiti national kidnapped in eastern Lebanon last week was released Monday, the government-run National News Agency (NNA) said.

It said Interior Minister Marwan Charbel informed Prime Minister Najib Mikati that Issam Nasser Al-Houti had been released. It gave no further details but said Mikati had thanked the security forces and all those who contributed to the release.

Houty was kidnapped by gunmen in Hawsh Al-Ghanam in the eastern Bekaa region outside his house Saturday. Reports said his Lebanese wife informed the Kuwaiti Embassy of the abduction.
Charbel has said that Houty’s abduction was not politically motivated while Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called Sunday for his immediate release.

Mikati later spoke to Houty and congratulated him on his safe release and called Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdel-Aal Al-Qinai for the same purpose, NNA said.

“The kidnappers accused me of funding the Syrian revolution,” Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai quoted Houti as saying after his release. He also said he had been severely beaten.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable to Lebanese President Michel Sulaiman to thank him personally for following the case of Al-Houti who was abducted.
Sheikh Sabah expressed gratitude to Sulaiman to his endeavors and instructions for the security authorities which resulted in Al-Houti’s release, a matter that mirrored the brotherly relations between Kuwait and Lebanon.

Sheikh Sabah also sent cables of gratitude to parliament speaker Nabih Berri and prime minister Majib Mikati for their efforts that brought about the release of Al-Houti.

Similarly, His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Monday called Lebanese President Michel Sulaiman to thank him for the release of Al-Houti.

Sheikh Nawaf expressed joy of the State of Kuwait, His Highness the Amir, government and people for the happy news which reflected “constructive cooperation and faithful efforts” over the past hours to bring about the safe release of Al-Houti.

This act, said Sheikh Nawaf, further cemented the historic relations between Kuwait and Lebanon at all levels.

Sheikh Nawaf praised bilateral cooperation for the service of common interest, asserting that Kuwait was keen on bolstering relations and cooperation with Lebanon in all domains.

His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince also thanked Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati, the ministers and all security bodies which contributed to the release of Al-Houti.

“We are always looking forward to seeing Lebanon being a beacon for security ... progress and prosperity,” said Sheikh Nawaf.

National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Kharafi also thanked the Lebanese government for the strenuous efforts it exerted to secure the release of Al-Houti.

“I thank the State of Lebanon, its government, parliament and people over the great efforts they exerted for the release of Issam Al-Houti,” Al-Kharafi said in a press statement Monday.

The Parliament Speaker also thanked his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri for his follow-up to the efforts and briefing him about the outcome around the clock.

Al-Kharafi expressed admiration of Al-Houti family in their distress.

He hailed their self-restraint and civilized behavior in mobilizing Kuwaiti and Lebanese governments to help reunite them with Al-Houti.

Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA reported Houti and his wife were abducted in Lebanon’s Bekaa region on Saturday, but Lebanon said only Houti was abducted.

The kidnapping took place less than a week after more than 20 Syrians and Turk were seized by another Lebanese group which is trying to negotiate the release of a relative inside Syria.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf states advised their citizens last week to leave Lebanon because of signs violence was spreading there from neighbouring Syria, which is locked in a 17-month-old revolt.
Parts of Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley has been outside of government control for years. A number of people have been kidnapped by criminal gangs there seeking ransom.

Earlier, the Intelligence Unit at the Lebanese Army on Monday summoned Fawzya Arafat, the wife of Al-Houti to listen to her testimony.

According to Al-Seyassah sources revealed Arafat had been advised to stay in her father’s house while waiting for the release of Al-Houti. The sources said the kidnappers called her father and demanded ransom money amounting to $2 million.