Families of Arsal Captives Escalate Protests over 'Procrastination' in Negotiations

The families of the captive troops and policemen burned tires on Wednesday evening at the Riad al-Solh Square in downtown Beirut over perceived “procrastination” in negotiations to free their loved ones, despite reports of a meeting between Qatar's mediator and al-Nusra Front.

“Relatives of hostage servicemen set tires ablaze in Riad al-Solh over reports of procrastination in the negotiations,” Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) said.

Meanwhile, OTV said firefighting vehicles were called in to downtown Beirut and that protesters were sitting in the middle of the road.

The TV network had said in its evening bulletin that the Qatari envoy “discussed with al-Nusra Front the issue of the final ransoms demanded to free the captive servicemen.”

“He did not meet with the Islamic State group because it is labeled as a 'terrorist organization' but reports said $280,000 were paid to persuade the group to reverse its threat to behead more troops,” OTV added.

Meanwhile, LBCI television said the captors backed down from executing one of the hostages “after money seized by the army at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint was returned to the militants.”

On Monday, the Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front revealed that it had been contacted anew by the Qatari mediator with the aim of “resuming the negotiations.”

Al-Nusra and the IS have been holding 27 troops and policemen hostage since August 2, when they overran the northeastern border town of Arsal and engaged in bloody clashes with the army.

The two groups have since executed three troops and threatened to murder more hostages if Lebanese authorities do not fulfill their demands.

Y.R.