Muslim Scholars May Halt Negotiations on Troops' Release over State's 'Negative' Approach
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Muslim Scholars Committee delegation tasked with negotiating with Islamists the release of the abducted soldiers and security forces is scheduled to hold talks on Saturday with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, reported As Safir newspaper on Friday.
Spokesman for the committee Sheikh Adnan Amama told the daily that the delegation will relay to Qahwaji its concern and reservations over the Lebanese state's efforts to release the captives.
He said: “We have clearly sensed that the state is not receptive of our initiative in the negotiations.”
“We have not received any positive signs from it,” he added, while revealing that the committee may abandon its negotiation efforts in favor of another side that may be more suitable for the task.
Furthermore, Amama accused the state of throwing obstacles in the path of the negotiations given the recent charges against 43 Syrians, including Imad Jomaa, accusing them of belonging to terrorist groups.
“We will withdraw from our mission on Sunday or Monday at most if the government maintains its approach in this matter,” he added.
He said that the al-Nusra Front dealt “negatively” with State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr's charges, which he made on Friday, saying that it may delay the release of the captives.
Clashes broke out on August 2 between the army and Islamist gunmen in the northeastern border town of Arsal in light of Jomaa's arrest.
Several soldiers were wounded and killed in the fighting that ended in a ceasefire on August 7.
The gunmen withdrew from the town, but abducted with them a number of soldiers and security forces.
The Muslim Scholars Committee delegation has been tasked with negotiating with the militants to release them.
The gunmen have reportedly been demanding the release of fellow Islamists from Roumieh Prison in exchange for the captives.
M.T.
H.K.
15 August 2014, 08:45
46
I think they should halt their mediation efforts and delegate Aoun or Nasrallah to get them released.
15 August 2014, 09:48
51
No need for these scholars. let them go teach something useful..GOV and Army should NOT negotiate with these low life. IT is very easy, arrest all their relative syrians groups in Arsal and Lebanon and decapitate 100 of them for each harmed beloved Leb soldiers.........................Leb state should terrorise the terrorists. look even basharo does NOT want them back..
15 August 2014, 10:01
32
Because of the Muslim scholars and their early intervention , the army could not finish the job in arsal . The army should have cordoned the whole area , boxed them in and killed every one of them . This message would sent fears and shivers to anyone daring to take a step into Lebanon . The price would be high , but it would have been worth it
15 August 2014, 10:11
45
amazing comments!
it was OK to deal with terrorists to free "pilgrims" or priests, but it is not OK when it comes to free our military?
those who want the armed forces to aid hizbushaitan to do the dirty work of the Syrian regime, and kill the Syrian people are way out of line.
our armed forces are not lackeys for anyone, especially not for hizbushaitan.
15 August 2014, 11:15
12
They should be negotiating on behalf of the government and it's current stance on the issue, not on their own accord, and certainly not act frustrated as to suggest they have their own adhenda. They should also be negotiating out of their patriotic intentions not to score points on any other platform.
