Ibrahim Says to Visit Country that Can Help Free IS-Held Captives
General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim revealed Friday that he intends to visit a country that can help Lebanon secure the release of the nine Lebanese servicemen who are being held hostage by the extremist Islamic State group.
“We are searching for a serious negotiator in the case of the IS-held servicemen, because unfortunately we have not found a serious mediator until the moment,” Ibrahim said in a phone interview with OTV.
He however disclosed that he is preparing for “a brief visit to a country that can help in this case.”
“I will leave no door unknocked in order to resolve this case and we must wrap up this file,” Ibrahim stressed.
Media reports had in early August said that efforts to secure the servicemen's release had been resumed.
“Qatar's mediator Ahmed al-Khatib has reportedly arrived in Lebanon anew to seek negotiations with the IS militants in Syria's Qalamoun over the nine captive Lebanese army troops,” MTV reported.
Hassan Youssef, the father of captive soldier Mohammed Youssef, also told al-Jadeed television that “an unofficial channel of communication has been opened with the group.”
The fate of the nine servicemen has been shrouded with mystery for several months now and the families are demanding to know whether their sons are alive or dead. The troops were among more than 30 servicemen who were abducted during the deadly 2014 battle between jihadists and the Lebanese army in and around the northeastern border town of Arsal.
While al-Nusra Front released 16 captives as part of a swap deal in December 2015, nine hostages remain in the captivity of the IS group and Lebanese officials have vowed to exert efforts to secure their release.
Separately, Ibrahim reassured Friday that the security situation in the country is “under control and better than the situation in a lot of neighboring countries.”
“It will remain like this as long as we have this spirit and determination,” he said.
“The calm that Lebanon is witnessing can be mainly attributed to the efforts of the security agencies,” he added.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/215415 |