Father of Assad spokesman Mekdad kidnapped in Syria

Gunmen in Syria have abducted the elderly father of Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, one of the most powerful voices in the government. The man, said to be in his 80s, was seized from his village home in the southern province of Daraa, government and opposition sources said. No group said they had carried out the abduction but rebels have targeted the families of officials in the past. Relatives of one of the suspected kidnappers were reportedly arrested. Mr Mekdad's father was abducted in the village of Ghossom on Saturday, the deputy foreign minister's office was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.