60 Minutes talks about the child snatch scandal and its detained crew in Lebanon

60 MINUTES addressed the Beirut child snatching scandal and the detention of its crew during last night’s broadcast.

60 MINUTES has addressed the Beirut child snatch scandal and detention of its crew of four to viewers during the show’s Sunday night broadcast.

Veteran journalist Ross Coulthart told the Channel 9 audience the international ordeal had been a “nerve-racking time on [the detained team] and of course for their families waiting for news at home.”

Acknowledging the show had drawn criticism and headlines since the ‘Beirut Four’ were taken into custody two weeks ago, Coulthart said: “We want you to know that every possible effort is being made to ensure our team’s wellbeing as they go through the legal process. We are working relentlessly to bring them home and we acknowledge the strong support of their families in helping us do that.”

Ross Coulthart, who spoke on behalf of the 60 Minutes team. Picture: Amos Aikman

He added: “Before the next court appearance, scheduled tomorrow, my colleague Tara Brown tells us she is being well treated in a women’s detention centre.”

Producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson and sound recordist David ‘Tangles’ Ballment are being detained separately.

60 Minutes journalist Tara Brown. Picture: Channel 9

60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice. Picture: Supplied

Brisbane mum Sally Faulkner, who was attempting to retrieve custody of her two children, Lahela, 6 and Noah, 3, also remains in Baabda Prison ahead of another court appearance due on Monday evening (AEST).

60 Minutes, sound recordist, David 'Tangles' Ballment on a Kabul street.

60 Minutes cameraman Ben Williamson. Picture: Facebook

“They have been held now for two weeks but are said to be in good spirits and coping very well,” Coulthart said, adding “the Nine Network is very grateful to the authorities in Lebanon for the respect shown to our crew. And we acknowledge the untiring efforts of diplomatic staff in Beirut and in Canberra, for their support. We’ll keep you posted on how it’s going.”

Part of the prison complex at the Baabda Court/Prison in Beirut, Lebanon. Sally Fauklner, Tara Brown and other 60 minutes crew have been held in these cells when appearing in court.

The network has denied reports there were plans for chief executive Hugh Marks to issue an apology to Lebanese authorities in a bid to rescue the crew ahead of tomorrow’s court hearing, instead insisting they were “working with our legal team and advice from the department to do all we can to support our team and get them home as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, Nine staffers took to social media to send their support to their jailed colleagues.

Nine News’ European correspondent Tom Steinfort posted a photo of himself with sound recordist David ‘Tangles’ Ballment to his Instagram account, writing: “Remembering my last beer with Tangles a few weeks ago and very much looking forward to the next one soon ... twelves days here now, waiting and hoping for some good news for a great team.”

Weekend Today co-host and Steinfort’s predecessor in the London bureau, Peter Stefanovic uploaded a photo on the road with cameraman Ben Williamson.

Stefanovic wrote: “thinking of my good mate [Williamson] and his family. Have known him for ten years and have worked with him all over the world. A devoted loving family man and bloody decent bloke. Love to you pal.”