Controversial Reports over Near End of Arsal Hostages Case
Despite optimism over the near release of the Lebanese servicemen taken hostage by the al-Qaida affiliate al-Nusra Front, the group dismissed such reports, describing them “false promises.”
“Everything that isn't announced by the group via its Twitter account regarding progress in the case of hostages isn't sustainable and is false,” leadership sources close to Nusra group leader by Abu Malek al-Talli said in remarks published in al-Akhbar newspaper Tuesday.
However, Lebanese security sources dismissed the claims as attempts to put pressure on the state to achieve more gains.
General Security chief Brig. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim had expressed relief recently over the progress in negotiations with the jihadist group.
“The Qatari intelligence is mediating the timing of conducting the deal” with al-Nusra Front, Ibrahim told As Safir newspaper, refusing to tackle the details of the operation and its stages.
Diplomatic sources told the newspaper that Qatari officials were in shuttle diplomacy with the representatives of the group, in particularly in Turkey.
The negotiations included the details of the prisoners swap deal, the sources said, revealing that Qatari intelligence chief Ghanim al-Kubaisi could visit Lebanon soon.
Al-Akhbar newspaper said that negotiations are touching on the names of prisoners, who will be released according to the agreement.
Information obtained by the daily said that the Lebanese Army leadership received a list that included the names of 50 prisoners, including Joumana Hmeid, who was charged over her involvement with al-Qaida-linked groups. She was detained in February 2014 in northeastern Lebanon when she was transporting a car rigged with explosives.
The newspaper also reported that Naim Abbas and Omar al-Atrash, whom the group is demanding their release, will not be included in the prisoners swap deal. They are both in custody for involvement in terrorist activities in Lebanon.
Al-Nusra Front has in its captivity 16 soldiers and policemen, while nine remain held by ISIL.
The soldiers and policemen were abducted by gunmen in the wake of clashes in the northeastern border town of Arsal in August.
A few of them have since been released and four were executed.
Negotiations with IS jihadists have stalled over their crippling demands.
H.K.
G.K.
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