Al-Hujeiri Denies Carrying New Militant Demands on Hostages

Sheikh Mustafa al-Hujeiri, an intermediary in the case of Lebanese hostages, has denied that he carried with him new demands from jihadists upon his return from the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal.

Al-Hujeiri returned from the mountainous area on Sunday after he met with the militants from al-Nusra Front who along with fighters from the Islamic State extremist group took Lebanese soldiers and policemen hostage in August last year.

A ministerial source also told An Nahar daily that the so-called crisis cell hasn't received any demands from the kidnappers.

Four months ago, al-Nusra Front demanded the release of several Roumieh prison inmates in return for each captive serviceman.

It has also demanded the release of prisoners held in Damascus jails.

There have been reports that al-Nusra Front, which holds 16 soldiers, has also asked for a 1 million dollar ransom in return for each captive.

Negotiations with the IS have been frozen, however.

Despite al-Hujeiri's mediation, the Lebanese authorities have insisted that General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim is the only official negotiator in the case of the hostages.