News In Brief

Beirut airport reopens, but rift is still evident

Beirut International Airport reopened Monday after a five-month shutdown, but the first passengers arrived in a city still divided, its hope for peace dampened by protesters demanding the release of hostages held by rival militias.

In another setback to stability, the senior Libyan diplomat in Lebanon was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen near his embassy in Beirut, security sources said. They said Muhammad al-Faitouri was the second Libyan diplomat abducted in Beirut in 17 days.