Families of Hostages Threaten Street Action after Eid

The families of the Lebanese servicemen taken hostage by jihadists in August last year have warned that they would resort to the streets again after the Eid al-Adha holidays.

“All options are available, including returning to the blocking of streets,” Nizam Mughit, the brother of one of the captives, told As Safir daily published on Thursday.

“This is the third Eid that we celebrate and there is no one to take action,” he said. “That's why we should move after the Eid to exert bigger pressure on the officials so that we reach the results we want.”

The soldiers and policemen were taken hostage by the Islamic State extremist group and al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front when they overran the northeastern border town of Arsal in August last year.

The relatives have on several occasions resorted to the streets, blocking major roads in frustration.

Their efforts have not led to results despite claims by Lebanese officials, mainly Lebanon's only negotiator General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, that the captives are doing well.

However, the negotiations with the jihadists have not led to a deal on a prisoner swap.