The leaders of Lebanon are actively focusing on the ugly crime, involving the murder of the 2 youths, and dumping their bodies in South Lebanon near Sidon. There is widespread concern by the president and all the way down to Berri and Hezbollah, that the crime could lead to further escalation of the violence.Ziad Ghandour, 12 and Ziad Qabalan, 25 were kidnapped last Monday and their bodies were found yesterday in Sidon. The crime was described as an act of revenge for the killing of Adnan Shamas, a 29-year Shia, during the anti-government riot in January this year, but the Shamas clan denied any involvement in the kidnapping and the subsequent murder. The autopsies revealed that both Ziad's were shot in the head from close range Â… Each had 3 bullets in his head. It was not immediately determined what type of weapons were used, but preliminary findings show the same weapon was used to kill both.
At this stage over eighty were questioned, but there are 3 serious suspects believed to be directly responsible, who remain at large according to the authorities. Security officials believe that they may have escaped out of the country, most likely to Syria, immediately after committing the unthinkable crimes. The reason Ziad Ghandour was with Ziad Qabalan is because the latter has shown interest in marrying GhandourÂ’s sister. Qabalan's original name is Kapalan, of Turkish origin.