Report: Breakthrough in Arsal Captives Case as Lebanon Handed Detainee List from Captors

General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim spoke of a breakthrough in the case of the servicemen kidnapped from the northeastern border town of Arsal in the wake of Lebanese authorities receiving a list of detainees the kidnappers are demanding to be released, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.

Widely-informed official sources told the daily that the list includes the names of 40 detainees held by Lebanese authorities.

It will soon be followed up by a second list, the Qatari mediator handling the case had informed Ibrahim.

The servicemen were kidnapped from Arsal in August in the wake of clashes between the army and Islamic State and al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front group jihadists who had overrun the town.

They abducted a number of servicemen at the end of the clashes.

A few were released, four were executed, while the rest remain held.

The extremist groups have been demanding the release of Islamists held in Lebanese jails in exchange for the freedom of the servicemen.

M.T.