Servicemen's Families Reopen Riad al-Solh Road as Hujeiri Voices Optimism on Release of Some Captives

The families of the servicemen held hostage by jihadist groups decided Tuesday to reopen the vital Riad al-Solh road in central Beirut as a “holiday gift” for the Lebanese, as Arsal municipal chief Ali al-Hujeiri revealed that the coming days will carry positive developments in the case.

“The tents will remain in Riad al-Solh but the Banks Street will be reopened and the removal of the barbed wires has started,” LBCI television reported in the evening.

The families will now abide by “total silence,” the TV network added, after the relatives suspended a sit-in that lasted for several weeks.

As for the ongoing negotiations, LBCI revealed that Arsal deputy municipal chief “Ahmed Fleiti held a series of meetings with officials in Beirut on Tuesday and he is still expressing his optimism regarding the case.”

Hujeiri had told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Tuesday said that Fleiti returned from talks with the captors with a “positive” attitude.

“The coming hours and days could witness unexpected positive results,” the municipal chief said.

“Some soldiers could be released in the next hours,” he added.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, who is loyal to Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, has tasked Fleiti with mediating in the case of the servicemen who were taken hostage by jihadist groups from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State when they overran Arsal in August.

His appointment to serve as a liaison between the militants and Abou Faour created controversy and led to confusion days after Salafist cleric Wissam al-Masri said he would mediate in the case.

Despite his claims, the Lebanese authorities and mainly Prime Minister Tammam Salam have insisted that General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim is the only person tasked by the state to negotiate the release of the captives.

But al-Masri told the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyassah that his official appointment by the Lebanese state is “no longer important.”

He also promised to bring good news to the relatives of the captives soon.

Al-Masri denied that the jihadists have given him any list over their demands.

The hostage-takers have warned the Lebanese authorities that they would kill more captives if they did not meet their demands. They have so far executed four of them.

Among their demands is the release of Islamist prisoners in Lebanon.

G.K./Y.R.