Crisis Cell Meets as Families of Servicemen Say 'Indications Not Bad'

Prime Minister Tammam Salam presided Thursday over a meeting for the ministerial crisis cell tasked with following up on the case of the abducted servicemen, amid reports of “progress” in the negotiations.

The Grand Serail meeting was attended by Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim and Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir.

The conferees tackled “the ongoing contacts in the case of the captive servicemen,” state-run National News Agency said.

Future TV quoted sources who attended the meeting as saying that “the negotiations are making progress.”

“We won't disclose if there is a demand to release Lebanese or non-Lebanese prisoners, but the issue of the swap deal is being discussed in a serious manner,” the sources added.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the hostages' families told Future TV: “We are in a state of waiting. The indications are not bad and there is no intention to stage street protests.”

The TV network also reported that Maj. Gen. Ibrahim “conveyed positive indications to the crisis cell” during the Grand Serail meeting.

“The families of the captives expressed their relief over the continuous efforts,” it added.

Al-Joumhouria newspaper had reported Tuesday that a recent meeting between Ibrahim and Qatari intelligence chief Ghanem al-Kubaisi in Doha had set a new roadmap to implement the prisoners swap deal between the abductors and the Lebanese state.

Qatar's mediation to release the servicemen abducted by Islamist gunmen has intensified in recent days.

A number of soldiers and policemen were abducted by al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State during clashes in Arsal in August.

A few of them have since been released, four were executed, and the rest remain held.

The captors have been demanding the release of Islamists held in Lebanon as a condition to set them free.

Y.R.