Report: Relative of Arsal Captives Says New Phase of Negotiations Kicked Off

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One of the fathers of the servicemen kidnapped by extremists from the northeastern border town of Arsal in August expressed his optimism that a new phase of negotiations over their release had kicked off, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Sunday.

Hussein Youssef, father of captive Mohammed Youssef, told the daily that the Qatari mediator in the case had visited Arsal and “we can therefore say that a new stage in the negotiations, which is more important than the previous ones, is underway.”

“This new phase is definitely better than the past ones,” he declared.

In addition, he said that contacts are underway with the Islamic State group regarding the release of the hostages.

“The situation is relatively acceptable and we are satisfied with it. We are reassured that a solution can be reached,” he added.

“At the moment however, no one can completely resolve this issue because new factors always emerge on the ground,” Youssef stated.

A number of servicemen were kidnapped by the IS and al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front groups in the wake of clashes with the army in Arsal in August.

A few of them have since been released, four were executed, while the rest remain held.

The kidnappers are demanding the release of Islamist prisoners held in Lebanese jails as one of the conditions of their freedom.

M.T.

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