From the Liveblog of
Sunday, November 24, 2019
US citizen, a former Israel ally, is jailed in Lebanon
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAmer Fakhoury closed his New Hampshire restaurant in September to take his first vacation in years to visit family in his native Lebanon — a country he hadn’t been to for nearly two decades.
He hasn’t returned to the United States. Soon after his arrival, the 57-year-old American citizen was detained by authorities and remains jailed as Lebanon deals with anti-government protests during a worsening economic crisis.
Fakhoury’s family says doctors report that he is in poor health and that his condition is life-threatening.
No charges have been filed against Fakhoury. His lawyer says it’s unclear why he’s being held. Fakhoury was once a member of the former Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army.
His family insists he had no direct contact with prisoners, never abused anyone and was never accused of abuse.
A State Department spokesperson says it’s been in contact with Fakhoury.
— AP
The Times of Israel Community.