Crisis Cell Vows Efforts to Free IS-held Captives as Abou Faour Meets Families
A ministerial crisis cell pledged Monday to exert “efforts in all directions” to secure the release of nine Lebanese servicemen held hostage by the extremist Islamic State group, several days after 16 Lebanese troops and policemen were freed in a swap deal between Lebanon and the Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front.
The statement was issued after a Grand Serail meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Tammam Salam and attended by Deputy PM and Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour and General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim.
The conferees discussed “the latest national achievement represented in the liberation of 16 servicemen who were in the captivity of a terrorist group, and the relief this achievement has left on all levels,” the statement said.
“This step confirmed the authority of the state over all the affairs of Lebanon and the Lebanese and it would not have occurred had it not been for the meeting of all national efforts, the firmness and skill of the Lebanese negotiators, and the high level of cooperation among all security agencies,” the statement added.
The conferees vowed to “continue their efforts in all directions to secure the release of the nine servicemen who are still in captivity,” it said.
Earlier in the day, Minister Abou Faour received the families of the captive servicemen and assured that the Lebanese state and the crisis cell will spare no effort to free the captives, the state-run National News Agency said.
The minister and the delegatio discussed the latest developments with the families and the progress made on that file.
He said: “The families held a meeting previously with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, which resulted in the release of the soldiers held by al-Nusra Front.”
“However the joy will never be complete before the rest of the soldiers are freed,” he added.
Abou Faour also reiterated the PSP's commitment not to close the file until the servicemen are released.
He concluded: “The state is keen through its government and premier and through the crisis cell to give the the necessary attention.”
The servicemen were kidnapped in August 2014 during deadly battles between the Lebanese army and jihadists from al-Nusra and the IS in and around the northeastern border town of Arsal.
The two groups are still entrenched in mountainous areas along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
D.A./Y.R.
Source: Naharnet
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