Fed: DFAT confirms detention of Australian in Lebanon

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2006
Fed: DFAT confirms detention of Australian in Lebanon

The Foreign Affairs Department has confirmed an Australian man is being held in custody
in Lebanon .. in relation to a child custody dispute.

According to media reports .. former Australian soldier 38-year-old BRIAN CORRIGAN
and DAVID PEMBERTON from New Zealand .. were hauled from a plane at Beirut's international
airport on Wednesday afternoon.

They could face up to 15 years' jail on charges of kidnapping minors over their alleged
involvement in a mercenary squad hired by Canadian woman MELISSA HAWACH to retrieve her
daughters .. who'd been taken by their Lebanese-Australian father.

DFAT says foreign affairs officials have offered assistance to Mr CORRIGAN and his
family following his arrest.

A DFAT spokeswoman says the Australian embassy in Beirut is providing consular assistance
and liaising with local authorities .. and are also in contact with his family in Australia.

DFAT says it has no information on the whereabouts of another former Australian soldier
.. JAMES ARAK .. reported to have fled Lebanon after the alleged kidnapping along with
two New Zealand mercenaries.

AAP RTV dcr/cp

KEYWORD: MERCENARIES DFAT (CANBERRA)

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