BEIRUT, Lebanon - The family of a Lebanese-born U.S. Marine held hostage in Iraq said it was confident Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun had been freed and was well, though relatives have not heard directly from him, his brother said Tuesday.
Hours later, a Lebanese government official said the kidnappers released Hassoun after he pledged he would not return to the U.S. military. The official, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, said Hassoun's whereabouts were unknown.
"We have received reliable information the guy is free," Sami Hassoun told The Associated Press from the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, where the Marine has family.
Though he had not spoken with his brother, who was serving as a translator with the U.S. Marines in Iraq when he went missing June 20, Sami Hassoun said "we received a sign from my brother reassuring us."
Desert your country? or Get your head cut off? That's a tough one...
Hours later, a Lebanese government official said the kidnappers released Hassoun after he pledged he would not return to the U.S. military. The official, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, said Hassoun's whereabouts were unknown.
"We have received reliable information the guy is free," Sami Hassoun told The Associated Press from the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, where the Marine has family.
Though he had not spoken with his brother, who was serving as a translator with the U.S. Marines in Iraq when he went missing June 20, Sami Hassoun said "we received a sign from my brother reassuring us."
Desert your country? or Get your head cut off? That's a tough one...