Relatives of Captive Servicemen Halt Escalation as 'Serious' Negotiations Ongoing

The relatives of abducted servicemen revealed on Thursday that they will suspend their endeavors after they became certain that serious negotiations are ongoing.

The step comes after Health Minister Wael Abou Faour soothed their fears, stressing that negotiations are serious and didn't come to an end.

“We decided to suspend escalation until further notice,” the relatives told reporters, pointing out that mediation with the Islamist gunmen didn't end.

On Tuesday, the relatives of Arsal hostages blocked the road near the Grand Serail in downtown Beirut a day after the al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front issued a new threat against the soldiers and policemen who were taken captive in the summer.

The threats came in light of the transfer of detainees from block B where Islamists were being held after an investigation suggested that the recent suicide bombing in the northern city of Tripoli was directed from the facility.

The prisoners were transferred to block D, which has been renovated and has better security.

The policemen and soldiers were abducted by the Islamist gunmen from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group in the wake of battles in Arsal in August.

A few of them have since been released, four were executed, while the rest are still being held.

The hostage-takers had warned several times the Lebanese authorities that they would kill more captives if they did not meet their demands.

Among their demands is the release of Islamist prisoners in Lebanon.

H.K.

G.K.