World

Remains found in Lebanon confirmed as British journalist

by mudricky | November 23, 2009 at 12:50 pm

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It has been confirmed by the British Foreign Office that the remains found in Lebanon last week are the remains of a British Journalist who went missing in 1985.

Alec Collett, 64 at the time was taken at gunpoint from a car near Beirut airport.

His body was dug up by British experts last week in Bekaa Valley after a tip off, his body will be flown home later this week by the United Nations.

Nine specialists from British military intelligence carried out the search but were protected with a large police presence.

British-born Mr Collett was living in New York with his American wife Elaine and their 11-year-old son, Karim, at the time of his disappearance.

He was working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency on a three-month assignment but had worked for them in the past.

One of his jobs was to pass on information to the international media on potential stories.

As well as working for the UN he also worked at the UN bureau of the Associated Press and also wrote for the Times of Zambia and the Botswana Guardian.

In 1986, the United Nations Correspondents' Association who is an organisation for journalists based around the world, made him their honorary president.

He has held that title ever since.

Every year UN staff still take time out to remember him during a day of solidarity for missing humanitarian workers at the UN headquarters in New York.

The remains of a British journalist who was kidnapped almost 25 years ago have been found inLebanon, the Foreign Office confirmed today.
Experts found human bones in the Bekaa Valley last week and tests have now shown that they are Alec Collett's remains.

He was kidnapped at gunpoint in 1985 while working on an article for the United Nations about Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

The following year his captors released a poor quality videotape showing a hooded figure who had apparently been hanged, but who was never formally identified.

Today his family said they were relieved he could finally be laid to rest.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The family are pleased to have closure after 24 years. Private arrangements will now be made."