Abductors Free 2 Lebanese but Hold American

Kidnapers released the son of Lebanon’s defense minister and his driver today but kept captive American journalist Charles Glass, who was abducted with them a week ago.

Defense Minister Adel Osseiran told reporters after his son’s release: “Charles Glass is still alive. Efforts are continuing to obtain his release.”

Asked if he thought Glass would be released soon, Osseiran said: “I hope so.”

Ali Osseiran, 40, and his driver, Suleiman Salman, abducted with Glass on June 17, arrived at the Osseirans’ home in the coastal town of Rmeileh at 7:30 a.m., said Afaf Osseiran Saidi, the freed man’s sister.

Ali Osseiran, dressed in navy blue trousers and a blue shirt, appeared briefly on the balcony of the family home in Rmeileh. Asked where Glass was, he paused and then replied sadly, “I don’t know.”

Had Dinner With Glass

A bodyguard of Osseiran said Osseiran had dinner with Glass on Tuesday night, but would not give further details.

Two family sources said Ali Osseiran and his driver were freed at about dawn from a small boat off the Mediterranean coast and swam to Sidon, from where they took a taxi to Rmeileh.

“His clothes were soaking wet and he was very tired,” a relative of Osseiran said.

Although the elder Osseiran expressed hope that Glass, a former ABC television correspondent from Los Angeles, would be released soon, a Lebanese police spokesman said: “It appears Mr. Glass has joined the list of foreign hostages in Lebanon despite Syria’s pressure to free him.”