Captive Policemen Contact Relatives, Urge Families to Mobilize to Release Hostages
A policeman abducted by Islamists from the northeastern border town of Arsal contacted his wife on Saturday, reported al-Jadeed television.
It said that Ziad Omar telephoned his wife and urged the families of the captives to mobilize to ensure the captives' release.
He added that the hostages are being treated well.
Omar is being held by al-Nusra Front, said al-Jadeed.
Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) later reported that captive Pierre Geagea contacted his wife.
LBCI television said that Geagea and another captive, George Khazzaqa, had contacted their relatives on Saturday morning, urging them to mobilize to pressure for their release.
He urged the families of the hostages to mobilize, stage rallies, and pressure Hizbullah to withdraw its fighters from Syria.
A number of soldiers and policemen were abducted in August in light of clashes between the army and Islamists in Arsal.
Some of the captives were released at different stages, while the rest remain held by Islamists from al-Nusra Front and Islamic State.
The government tasked earlier this week a ministerial panel to follow up on the case.
Qatari mediators have become involved in the negotiations to release them.
The families of the captives however have refused to meet with the panel.
On Thursday, they called on Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji to “arrest all ministers and swap them for the abductees.”
“We want our sons, with or without an exchange, and we all throw our support behind the army chief and we hope he will fulfill our demand,” they said.
The extremists are reportedly seeking to exchange the soldiers and policemen for Islamists held in Roumieh prison.
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