Qahwaji Fears Fate of 'Missing' Soldiers, Says Outskirts of Arsal 'Hijacked'
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji expressed concern that some of the soldiers taken captive by Islamist gunmen in the northeastern town of Arsal might have been killed, pointing out that the outskirts of the region is still “hijacked.”
“The number of missing soldiers is around 20... A videotape issued by the armed men showed the body of a soldier,” Qahwaji said in comments published in al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Thursday.
He pointed out that the army command considered that the soldiers are missing as the “number of martyrs is not known yet.”
On Wednesday, the Muslim Scholars Committee handed the premiership a videotape showing seven of the hostages taken by jihadists who overran Arsal earlier this month.
Qahwaji told the newspaper that most gunmen withdrew to the heights of Arsal near the Syrian border, pointing out that the “border between Lebanon and Syria is not clearly demarcated.”
Lebanon and Syria share a 330-kilometer border but have yet to agree on official demarcation.
“The outskirts (of Arsal) is still relatively hijacked,” the army's highest-ranking official said, stressing that the situation in the area is under control.
The fighting between troops and extremist fighters broke out on August 2 when jihadists from Syria attacked army and police posts in Arsal after the arrest of a militant accused of belonging to the al-Qaida affiliate al-Nusra Front.
During the fighting, at least 35 soldiers and policemen were seized by the militants and are still being held hostage and their fate remains unknown.
Qahwaji's comments came a day after he visited Arsal to inspect army battalions in the town.
“I am convinced that the people of Arsal are seeking salvation after gunmen harmed their town,” the army chief told al-Mustaqbal newspaper.
He noted that the Lebanese state is seeking to fortify and enhance the situation in the northeastern village by carrying out swift development project.
H.K.
G.K.
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