BEIRUT: Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Thursday the reported series of kidnappings of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon was distorting the image of the country, urging top leaders to take action and prevent the increasing activity.

“What is happening in this regard is unacceptable as this will lead to distorting the image of Lebanon and its government," Geagea told reporters following his meeting with Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin. 

"People are not feeling safe [in their own country] and the kidnapping of Syrian refugees, whether opposition members or those loyal to the regime is intolerable," he said.

Speaking from Meerab, Geagea urged Prime Minister Nbaij Mikati and President Michel Sleiman “to immediately step in to stop the kidnappings of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon” which, according to the LF leader, has increased on a daily basis.

"[There are] security reports on these operations that show that some security service personnel and [members] of the general prosecution's [office] are complicit [in the kidnappings],” he added.

In recent weeks, several reports have cited kidnappings and the disappearance of Syrian citizens, some of whom are believed to be members of the Syrian opposition.

Last month, Police chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi released a report implicating the Syrian Embassy and members of the country’s Internal Security Forces of involvement in the kidnapping of Syria dissidents. The embassy has denied the accusations.

“The state must carry out its duty through controlling the Lebanese borders and deal with the Syrian refugees based on international standards along with controlling security in Lebanon through preventing kidnapping by all parties,” Geagea said, adding that members of the country’s security forces have lured Syrian citizens in a bid to send them back to Syria.

Since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began in Mid-March, thousands of Syrians have crossed into Lebanon to escape unrest in their home country. However, the influx has declined due to measures by the Lebanese and Syrian armies to control the border.

Geagea, a staunch critic of Assad and Mikati’s governments, reiterated his demand that Lebanon’s Cabinet resign to prevent further deterioration of the country’s situation.

“We ask [the government] once again to resign given its record starting with living conditions, violations by Syria to [Lebanon's] border and sovereignty to road conditions and so on. [It] has shown that an additional day of this government is catastrophic for this country,” he said.