'Syrian-Syrian Deal' May Free Lebanese Troops, Nusra Says 'Thousands of Jihadists' in Lebanon

A “Syrian-Syrian deal” that is currently in the making might involve the release of the captive Lebanese troops, a media report said on Friday, as the chief of the Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front in Syria's Qalamun threatened to wage “war” inside Lebanon.

“The negotiations have apparently matured,” LBCI television reported.

“The deal will be Syrian-Syrian given the complications of the negotiations between Lebanon and al-Nusra,” the TV network added, citing information obtained from an unnamed source.

Under the alleged deal, “an exchange will occur between al-Nusra and the Lebanese army, which will include the captive troops and the gunmen who were arrested in (the Bekaa border town of) Arsal,” LBCI said.

It noted that the army had arrested scores of militants during the August battle with al-Nusra and the Islamic State group in Arsal.

“They have not been referred to court and the principle of swapping them for the captive troops has been approved by all parties,” LBCI added.

It also pointed out that Hizbullah will play a key role in the deal, given the fact that “it has dozens of Nusra and IS captives in its custody.”

“Hizbullah has expressed willingness to exchange the captives it has for the hostage troops,” LBCI said, adding that “it has also voiced readiness to mediate with the Syrian regime to secure the release of detainees and prisoners held by Syrian authorities.”

The TV network also reported that a Qatari envoy had arrived in Beirut on Friday.

“He did not head to Arsal as he is awaiting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, which have been described as strenuous and serious,” LBCI added.

Meanwhile, Abou Malek al-Talleh, the so-called emir of al-Nusra in Qalamun, warned Friday that “jihadists are in their thousands across Lebanon, awaiting the permission to start the battle."

"War is looming on the horizon and the battle with Hizbullah will not only be limited to the border area and the mountains anymore," he added, in an audio recording.

"We have managed to break all the security barriers in all Lebanese regions," Abou Malek said.

Addressing Islamist inmates at Lebanon's Roumieh prison, he added: “Our hearts are with you and a solution is only a matter of several days.”

The militants, who abducted around 35 troops and policemen during the Arsal battle, have reportedly set several conditions to freeing the captives, including the release of Islamist inmates held in Roumieh prison.

They killed three of the hostages in August and September and have threatened to execute more if their demands were not met.

Y.R.