Lebanese musician Samir Sfeir missing in Saudi Arabia: Reports

A Lebanese music composer close to the president’s party is believed to be detained in Saudi Arabia for unknown reasons, according to local media reports confirmed by two sources close to him and a security source.

An official source said Lebanon’s foreign ministry had tried to ask Saudi authorities about the whereabouts of Samir Sfeir, a well-known musician who has sung about President Michel Aoun.

The Lebanese foreign ministry declined to comment. Saudi Arabia’s government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An MP from Aoun’s political party, Salim Aoun, had tweeted asking: “Where is Samir Sfeir?” with a hashtag calling for his “freedom”.

Local media said on Tuesday that the musician was believed to be jailed in Saudi Arabia, where he has a residence.

Sfeir faced a backlash among Saudis on social media earlier this year when he shared a photo of himself getting a COVID-19 shot in Saudi Arabia.

The post angered some who accused him of benefitting from the kingdom’s services despite his past comments alluding to Saudi Arabia exporting “terrorism”, which the kingdom denies.