French Socialist detained by Hizbullah for over 4 hours

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A French Socialist official attending a conference in Lebanon said Sunday he was detained for four hours by members of the Hizbullah group south of Beirut. Karim Pakzad said he had been touring the area considered to be a Hizbullah stronghold in a convertible car and taking pictures when he was detained Saturday along with a companion and interrogated for four hours before they were both released. Hizbullah said the two men were spotted near a Hizbullah official's residence in the suburb of Haret Hreik, "one of them taking a lot of pictures in a way that aroused suspicion." The group said in a statement that the two were treated with "respect" and released after ascertaining their identities. Hizbullah said it had information of Israeli plans to target its members in the area and carry out other sabotage acts.