Salam Declares Qatari Help in File of Abducted Soldiers: We Will Not Surrender

Prime Minister Tammam Salam announced on Sunday that Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has been exerting efforts to help free the abducted Lebanese soldiers, stressing that negotiations with “blood” will not make the government surrender.

“Anger is immense but we should know that sedition, which terrorists seek, could be taken advantage of by ignorant individuals and weak souls. It is the entrance to ruin our national peace,” said Salam in a speech addressing the Lebanese.

On Saturday, several pro-jihadist Twitter accounts published gruesome pictures apparently showing Islamic State militants beheading one of the abducted Lebanese soldiers who were held captive in the clashes in the northeastern town of Arsal in August.

The beheading comes around ten days after the same group executed captive army sergeant Ali al-Sayyed.

The pictures triggered massive protests and angry people blocked several roads and burned tires in various areas.

“What happened in the streets of Lebanon in the last few days harmed the cause of the martyrs and our kidnapped soldiers. It could have led the country to dangerous repercussions,” he stated, adding that blocking roads and obstructing the country will not bring the soldiers back.

“Although the pain is immense, allowing terrorism to infiltrate out national structure is much more agonizing. It is what the criminals want,” he stressed.

In reference to the Islamist jihadists, he added: “They only understand the language of slaughter, but we will not panic and our intent will not weaken. We will stay united and determined to get our sons back.”

“We are not in a position of weakness, we have several power cards. Contacts are continuing based on the latest cabinet session which set the rules not to swap any inmates, but to use international channels for negotiations with the kidnappers.”

Slamming all reports claiming that Qatar did not engage in the negotiation efforts to free the soldiers, Salam extended gratitude to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for his adamant efforts to help Lebanon overcome this ordeal.

“The enemy is not a traditional one, it caused us much pain and we are all required to have faith in the government and its ability to manage this thorny file,” he concluded.

D.A.

M.T.