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Brazilian journalist detained in Syria is now in Lebanon.

IstoÉ magazine reporter Klester Cavalcanti was detained by the Syrian government for failing to report to the Ministry of Information; he was released by authorities last Friday and arrived in Beirut this morning.

Brazilian journalist detained in Syria is now in Lebanon (Photo: Press Release)

Agency Brazil The Brazilian journalist who had been detained in Syria since last week was released by the country's authorities and arrived in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on the morning of Monday the 28th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Itamaraty, reported.

According to the agency, journalist Klester Cavalcanti, 42, from IstoÉ magazine, was detained by the Syrian government for failing to report to the Ministry of Information, a procedure required of professionals upon arrival in the country or when traveling to other regions. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty) reported that Cavalcanti was arrested in a location outside the capital, Damascus.

He was released by the authorities last Friday the 25th, but could only leave the country today because he had to extend his Syrian residency visa – which had expired – in order to travel. Cavalcanti arrived in Lebanon by car, accompanied by an employee of the Brazilian diplomatic service.

The journalist, who was detained for six days, did not suffer mistreatment or physical violence and is doing well, according to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. Now that his situation is regularized, he can return to Brazil whenever he wants.

Klester Cavalcanti is the author of the books Widows of the Earth and The Name of Death, for which he won the Jabuti Literature Prize in 2005 and 2007.