Ibrahim Optimistic: Nusra Front's Hostages Soon to Freedom

General Security chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim expressed optimism Friday over the case of servicemen held hostage by al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front.

“All statements about the case are merely attempts to improve the conditions but the negotiations are ongoing in a good manner,” Ibrahim said from NDU in Zouk Mosbeh.

He stressed that there is no side better than the General Security to negotiate the release of the servicemen.

The General Security chief considered the directorate as an “honest” negotiator, voicing hope that mediation with al-Nusra Front will wrap up soon positively.

Al-Nusra Front has in its captivity 16 soldiers and policemen, while nine remain held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (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.

IS jihadists also took hostages with them when they overran Arsal but the negotiations with the group have stalled over their crippling demands.

A delegation from the town visited Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq on Friday.

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