4 - Kuwait Oil Company

Esam Al-Houti Returns Safely to KuwaitKOC Manager Freed After Lebanon Hostage OrdealEsam Al-Houti (3rd from right) is pictured with senior KOC officialsEsam Al-Houti, Manager MajorProjects I, was greeted to ahero’s welcome recently at theKOC Guest House to celebratehis safe release after beingkidnapped on a recent trip toLebanon. Senior KOC officials,including C&MD Sami Al-Rushaid,DMDs and Managers werepresent to welcome Al-Houti andcongratulate him on his safe returnto Kuwait.Al-Houti’s ordeal began whenhe was kidnapped in Lebanon’sBekaa Valley while exiting his carin front of his apartment. As heexited his vehicle, six armed menattacked him, and after a struggle,they managed to blindfold himand restrain him and succeededin abducting him away in theircar. Throughout the durationof his kidnapping, Al-Houtimaintained that his captors kepthim blindfolded at an undisclosedlocation. His kidnappersdemanded $2 million in ransommoney; however, after intensepressure from both the Lebanesegovernment and abroad, Al-Houtiwas released safely without payingany ransom.During the welcoming ceremonywhich took place at the GuestHouse, Al-Houti appeared in goodhealth and in high spirits. In astatement he made to the KuwaitiDigest, Al-Houti recounted theentirety of his ordeal and saidthat he was very happy to see theoverwhelming support that hereceived from the Kuwaiti peopleupon his release. He said that hewas especially surprised to see theoutpouring of support, especiallyconsidering the fact that he wasnot even certain if anyone knewabout his exact whereaboutsduring the ordeal, seeing as howhe was cut off from the outsideworld while he was held hostage.After his release, however, helearned that many segments ofKuwaiti society and the Lebaneseauthorities were actively workingtowards his safe release. In thatregard, Al-Houti said he was verygrateful for the swift action thatKuwait’s diplomatic forces tookin their campaign for his releaseand thanked HH the Amir, seniorgovernment officials, variousKuwaiti ministries, the KuwaitiEmbassy in Lebanon, KOCofficials and employees and theKuwaiti people for the supportthey displayed both during hiskidnapping and after his release.Al-Houti with KOC C&MD Sami Al-RushaidOctober - December 2012 3