BEIRUT: One of four Syrians kidnapped in east Lebanon over the weekend was released Sunday and says his abductors are demanding a ransom of $2 million for the release of his two brothers and an employee.

Osama Abdel Raouf, 50, told police he was released Sunday morning in Zahle, the district in which he and his brothers Hisham, 45, and Imad, 47, as well Khaled al-Hamadah, a 23-year-old employee, had been kidnapped in Saturday.

The National News Agency reported Saturday that four Syrians were kidnapped in Taanayel, Zahle, after a group of armed men in a GMC Envoy obstructed their vehicle - a four-wheel drive Mazda with a Syrian license plate. The Syrians were then forced out of their vehicle after the men shot at their car.

The Syrians had been headed to the Masnaa border crossing, the NNA said.

Last week, a Syrian man was kidnapped in Lebanon but was released five days later in return for a ransom estimated at $17,000 and some of his wife's jewelry.