The world : Beirut Gunmen Kidnap 10

Beirut gunmen kidnaped 10 more people in an apparent campaign to drive Christians from the city’s Muslim sector. Police said seven Christians, including three women, were abducted after crossing the dividing line between Christian East Beirut and the Muslim western quarter. Three others were taken while driving on the airport highway in the city’s southern suburbs, which are a stronghold of Shia Muslim fanatics. The abductions heightened fears that radical Muslims have launched a pre-Christmas campaign of intimidation against West Beirut’s dwindling Christian community. Police sources said more than 25 Christians have been seized in recent days.