{
  "id": 12917180,
  "title": "US and Lebanon hosting Syrian general wanted for war crimes: Report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/us-and-lebanon-hosting-syrian-general-wanted-for-war-crimes-report",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T17:48:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-and-lebanon-hosting-syrian-general-wanted-war-crimes-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US and Lebanese intelligence agencies are reportedly harboring Bassam al-Hassan, a former Assad official accused of war crimes, according to a joint NPR and BBC investigation. Al-Hassan, who oversaw Syria's chemical weapons program under Assad, has been living in Lebanon since the Assad government was overthrown in late 2024. The US and Lebanese authorities are providing him with financial support and protection, as he claims to have information about the location of American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012. Tice's mother has requested a meeting with al-Hassan, but US officials have denied her request. Other former Assad officials, such as Mohammad Makhlouf and Sakr Rustom, are also residing in Lebanon and the UAE. The Tice family has expressed outrage at the use of US tax dollars to support someone involved in the use of chemical weapons against civilians, calling it \"aiding and abetting the escape of a wanted war criminal.\"",
  "summary": "US and Lebanon hosting Syrian general wanted for war crimes: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 10/08/2026 - 17:27 US and Lebanese intelligence agencies are harboring a former Assad official who has promised to help them locate Austin Tice This picture shows the US embassy building in Awkar, east of Beirut, on 23 June 2025 (Joseph Eid/AFP) Off A former Syrian general wanted for crimes against…",
  "key_points": [
    "US and Lebanese agencies shelter Bassam al-Hassan, accused war crimes perpetrator.",
    "Former Assad official oversaw Syria's chemical weapons program.",
    "Tice family outraged by using US funds to aid alleged war criminal."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}