Hassoun family laments mistrust

WEST JORDAN — Facing speculation that his brother is a Marine who deserted his post and after violence against his family in Lebanon for aligning themselves with the United States, the brother of Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun asked for help in protecting his family.

Speaking outside his home, which has become a media focal point for this international story, Mohamad Hassoun said he feels his family is "being attacked on two fronts."

In both English and Arabic, Mohamad Hassoun called upon President Bush and Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri to take steps to provide support and security for his family.

"Our intent is to prevent any further bloodshed, and we do not want our loyalty and nationalism questioned during these difficult times," Mohamad Hassoun said. "I also call upon the Muslim clerics in Lebanon to provide spiritual support and not to add fuel to the fire."

His comments came a day after shooting broke out between residents and the Hassoun family in Tripoli about the same time that 24-year-old Wassef Hassoun was being transported to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut after the Marine called U.S. officials. The gunfight took place in a different section of Tripoli than where Hassoun's parents live.

News accounts say the gunfight began when neighbors taunted the Hassoun family as being American collaborators. Two men were killed, none of them Hassoun family members.

U.S. military officials reported Friday that Wassef Hassoun has been taken to a military hospital in Berlin for physical evaluation and debriefing over the next several days. Hassoun had worked as a driver and translator for the Marines, being fluent in English, Arabic and French.

Thursday, Mohamad Hassoun said he had spoken briefly with his brother but only said that his brother had lost weight. On Friday, Mohamad Hassoun expanded on how his brother is doing.

"He's doing OK physically, but mentally he needs time to recuperate," the brother said.

Mohamad Hassoun said that a cousin and another brother are being allowed to join Wassef Hassoun in Germany for support and are expected to arrive in Germany next Tuesday.

When asked by reporters to comment on speculation that his brother may have fabricated the kidnapping, Mohamad Hassoun said he believed his brother did not create a hoax.