Families of Captive Servicemen Briefly Close Riad Solh Again, Fear Fate of Hostages

The families of the so-called Arsal captives briefly closed anew on Saturday Beirut's Riad al-Solh area, voicing fear over the fate of their children.

Nizam Mogheit, the brother of soldier Ibrahim who was taken hostage by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), said the decision comes amid the increasing “mystery” surrounding the case of the captive servicemen.

“We are compelled to return to the streets,” the families told reporters.

The enraged relatives wondered if the case is forgotten.

“We are concerned more than ever as our children are obliged to face an unknown fate.”

Mogheit questioned the intentions of some political sides “who aim at sacrificing the blood of the soldiers to build their glory.”

The families did not close the road for long and was reopened shortly.

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

“The negotiations are ongoing in a good manner,” Ibrahim said, 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 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.

Negotiations with IS jihadists have stalled over their crippling demands.

H.K.

D.A.