‘Strange’ spot for 60 Minutes kidnap mission in Beirut

LEBANESE security forces have expressed dismay that a kidnap mission would be attempted in such a closely monitored area dominated by Hezbollah.

Sainte Therese Road in Hezbollah stronghold district Dahieh in Beirut where Sally Faulkner kidnapped her two kids with the help of a team last Wednesday. Ms Faulkner has been arrested. A Channel Nine 60 Minutes TV crew, including senior journalist Tara Brown, a producer and a cameraman, is also being detained over its alleged role in the kidnapping. Pic Ella Pellegrini

LEBANESE security forces have expressed dismay someone would attempt a kidnap mission not just at peak hour on one of the busiest streets in Beirut but in the district of Dahieh — the infamous stronghold of the Shiite Islamist Hezbollah.

Security on this bustling central shopping strip is significant with CCTV, military checkpoints, heavily-armed patrols and roaming Hezbollah agents distinguishable in their tanned jackets conducting random checks on locals.

Tight security ... Sainte Therese Road in Hezbollah stronghold district Dahieh in Beirut where Sally Faulkner kidnapped her two kids. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

The district’s security sprung from the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict with the capital’s southern district a frequent target of Israel missiles and jet fighters. More recently in 2013 it has been the target of two major car bomb attacks which killed more than 20 people and wounded another 250 mostly civilians.

It remains the capital of the militant group and political party of Hezbollah and on heightened alert for assassination of militant leaders and or car bomb attacks.

“This group is supposed to be professional group but no-one would try to do this in this place of all places,” one internal security agent said of Child Abduction Recovery International’s attempted snatch of two Aussie toddlers last Wednesday.

Monitored ... Sainte Therese Road in Hezbollah stronghold district Dahieh in Beirut. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

The raid on Sainte Therese road by three hooded men said to be from the CARI group was captured by CCTV cameras and replayed around the world on the internet and major news outlets.

Shoppers yesterday on the strip remained stunned at the action although there were few witnesses at that busy time.

“It was this security camera outside my store that showed (captured) the footage,” said a manager from a fashion outlet close to the scene of the raid by the men in the silver Hyundai van.

“We were closed, most of the shops were closed at 7.30am but we have seen it yes on the internet. This is a very secure place so it is strange.”

* News Corp Australia was questioned for an hour and a half by uniformed Hezbollah agents on motor scooters shortly after driving into the district. Mugshots were taken and passports examined with details of five years worth of travel having to be explained. The crew was then escorted through the area for a defined set time limit.

Originally published as ‘Strange’ spot for 60 Minutes kidnap mission in Beirut