Relatives of Arsal Captives Protest Near Grand Serail, Warn of Further Delay

The families of Arsal captives held a sit-in near the Grand Serail on Thursday to protest the state's procrastination regarding the release of their relatives, who were abducted by Islamist gunmen in August.

“We warn of further delay in resolving the case of our sons,” the relatives told reporters gathering in Riyadh al-Solh Square, demanding swift negotiations with jihadists, who are taking positions on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal.

The protest coincided with a cabinet session at the Grand Serail to press Prime Minister Tammam Salam and ministers to adopt a decision to exchange the kidnapped soldiers and policemen with Roumieh prison inmates.

Jihadists from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group engaged in bloody gunbattles with the army in Arsal in August and took with them hostages from the military and police.

The militants executed three of them and threatened to kill more hostages if the Lebanese government did not meet their demands.

The Islamist gunmen reportedly have a list of demands, including the withdrawal of Hizbullah from battles in Syria and the release of ten Syrian inmates held at Roumieh prison in return for each captive soldier and policeman.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour stressed after meeting protesters that the political powers are keen to resolve the abduction ordeal, considering that the case is “positively progressing.”

He expressed hope that new developments would occur soon, stressing that the matter is a national priority.

Abou Faour was tasked by Salam to meet with them.

Families of the soldiers and policemen have been blocking several major roads in protest to the delay in the release of their relatives, the latest was the Masnaa road on the border with Syria.

The relatives demanded the government after meeting with Abou Faour to prolong the cabinet session and thoroughly discuss the case.

They briefly blocked the Banks Street, which leads to the Grand Serail.

H.K.

M.T.