Army says Lebanese Forces official killed by kidnappers

Pascal Sleiman was killed by his kidnappers as they tried to steal his car in the Jbeil region, the Lebanese Army said on Monday. (Lebanese Forces)
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Updated 08 April 2024
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Army says Lebanese Forces official killed by kidnappers

BEIRUT: Senior Lebanese Forces official Pascal Sleiman was killed by his kidnappers as they tried to steal his car in the Jbeil region, the Lebanese Army said on Monday. 

His body was transported to Syria and the army is coordinating with authorities there to repatriate his body. 

Most of the Syrian gang involved in the kidnapping have been arrested, the army added.


50,000 perform Ramadan Taraweeh prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Updated 23 February 2026
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50,000 perform Ramadan Taraweeh prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

  • Worshippers gather amid heightened tensions in occupied West Bank
  • Hundreds of Jerusalemites ordered not to enter mosque during holy month

LONDON: About 50,000 Palestinian worshippers performed the Isha and Ramadan Taraweeh prayers on Sunday evening at Al-Aqsa Mosque in the walled city of occupied East Jerusalem.

The crowds gathered despite Israeli military checkpoints and strict identity checks at the mosque’s gates, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

Palestinians are observing the Muslim holy month, which began on Wednesday, amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, including attacks by settlers and raids and arrests by the Israeli army.

More than 300 Jerusalemites recently received Israeli orders prohibiting their entry to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, the Wafa news agency reported.

Israeli forces have increased their military presence in Jerusalem and restricted access to the mosque for children under 12, men over 55 and women over 50.

Since Wednesday, thousands of Palestinians have lined up to pass through military checkpoints, including at Qalandiya and Bethlehem, in the hope of attending prayers at Al-Aqsa.