Top Lions Club Man in Beirut Abducted

BEIRUT — Three gunmen kidnaped the top official of the International Lions Club in Lebanon and Jordan today, a day after an American educator was abducted in Muslim West Beirut on his way to play golf.

Police identified today’s kidnaping victim as Victor Kenou, a Christian Lebanese of Syrian origin. He was abducted at gunpoint at 9:35 a.m. near the French Embassy compound in West Beirut, authorities said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The gunmen intercepted Kenou, forced him into a blue BMW and sped away, a police official said. He said it was not known whether Kenou was on foot or driving a car at the time of the abduction.

Heads 39 Clubs

Kenou is head of 39 Lions clubs in Lebanon and Jordan, the official said. Lions clubs are a worldwide charity society.

On Tuesday, four gunmen driving a blue Volvo abducted Frank Herbert Reed, 53, of Malden, Mass., director of the private Lebanese International School. (Story on Page 8.)

Police said today they had no indication where Reed is being held.

A spate of politically motivated abductions in 1985 prompted most Americans and other Westerners to leave the city.

The U.S. State Department has refused to divulge the number of Americans still in Lebanon, but a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Christian East Beirut said 454 remain in the capital.

The spokesman, Christopher English, said most of those remaining held dual Lebanese and American passports.