Salam Cancels Paris Trip to Follow Up on Prisoner Deal Developments

Prime Minister Tammam Salam on Sunday called off a trip to Paris in order to follow up on the ongoing negotiations to secure the release of the Lebanese servicemen who are being held hostage by al-Nusra Front, his office said.

“In light of the latest developments accompanying the efforts that are being exerted to secure the release of the al-Nusra Front-held servicemen, PM Tammam Salam has decided to cancel his Monday trip to Paris, where he was supposed to take part in the global climate summit,” the office said.

Salam's move is aimed at “following up on the developments in the case of the servicemen in order to make it reach a happy ending,” it added.

The premier's decision followed a setback in the negotiations on Sunday, after steps on the ground and media reports gave the impression earlier in the day that the exchange was imminent.

“Some obstacles emerged in the final moments but the negotiations have not stopped,” Qatari-owned Al-Jazeera television said.

“New developments have prevented the completion of the prisoner swap deal today,” it added.

The troops were abducted during deadly clashes in August 2014 between the army and militants from al-Nusra and the Islamic State group in and around Arsal.

Nineteen troops were killed in the fighting as 35 soldiers and policemen were taken hostage. Al-Nusra later released seven security personnel who were in its custody.

The two groups later executed four servicemen and were threatening to kill more if Lebanese authorities do not fulfill their demands.

Y.R.