Healthy, Happy ... And With A Head

Missing U.S. Marine Said to Be Safe in Lebanon-CNN

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Lebanese-born U.S. Marine who disappeared in Iraq is safe in Lebanon, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing a source close to his family.

Wassef Ali Hassoun contacted family members in West Jordan, Utah, and in Tripoli, Lebanon, and told them he had contacted the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and asked to be picked up from an undisclosed location in Lebanon, CNN reported, citing the source. The source said Hassoun sounded healthy and happy.

CNN quoted the source as saying Hassoun's family was awaiting word from the embassy in Beirut to find out if it had custody of the marine.

Another U.S. official said the embassy had been in touch with Hassoun's family, CNN reported.

Hassoun has been absent from his unit since June 21.

Calls to Pentagon and State Department spokesman were not immediately returned.