Lebanese composer with ties to Aoun missing in Saudi

A Lebanese music composer close to the president’s party is believed to be detained in Saudi Arabia for unknown reasons, according to local media reports confirmed by two sources close to him and a security source, Reuters reports.

An official source said Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry had tried to ask Saudi authorities about the whereabouts of Samir Sfeir, a well-known musician who has sung about President Michel Aoun.

The ministry declined to comment and Saudi Arabia’s government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An MP from Aoun’s political party, Salim Aoun, had tweeted asking: “Where is Samir Sfeir?” with a hashtag calling for his “freedom”.

READ: Lebanon’s famed musician Elias Rahbani dies aged 83

Local media said yesterday that the musician was believed to be detained in Saudi Arabia, where he has residence.

Sfeir faced a backlash among Saudis on social media earlier this year when he shared a photo of himself getting a COVID-19 shot in Saudi Arabia. The post angered some who accused him of benefiting from the kingdom’s services despite his past comments alluding to Saudi Arabia exporting terrorism, which the kingdom denies.