DNA tests confirm Lebanon holds IS leader’s young daughter: ministerDecember 4, 2014 - 16:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - DNA tests confirm Lebanon is holding the young daughter of Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the country's interior minister said, according to BBC News. Nohad Machnouk told Lebanon's MTV television that the child's mother, who is also in custody, was now believed to be one of Baghdadi's ex-wives. Earlier this week, Lebanese security officials said they had detained his wife and son at a border crossing with Syria. But Iraq's government later insisted the woman was not married to Baghdadi. It said the woman - identified as Saja al-Dulaimi - was the daughter of an active member of al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, al-Nusra Front. She is also thought to have been detained by the Syrian authorities before being freed in March as part of a prisoner exchange with al-Nusra. Late, Machnouk told MTV that Dulaimi had been travelling with two sons and a daughter when they were detained by the army two weeks ago. "Dulaimi is not Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's wife currently. She has been married three times: first to a man from the former Iraqi regime, with whom she had two sons," he said. "Six years ago she married Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi for three months, and she had a daughter with him. Now, she is married to a Palestinian and she is pregnant with his child." The minister added: "We conducted DNA tests on her and the daughter, which showed she was the mother of the girl, and that the girl is [Baghdadi's] daughter, based on DNA from Baghdadi from Iraq." Machnouk said Dulaimi's children were staying at a care center while she was being interrogated at the defense ministry's headquarters. IS has not commented on their detention, but al-Nusra has condemned it. One Lebanese official has said it is a "powerful card to apply pressure" in negotiations with IS and al-Nusra, who are holding more than 20 Lebanese soldiers and police hostage. They are threatening to kill them unless militants are freed from Lebanese jails. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |