Salam Hopes for 'Step Forward' on Arsal Captives, Calls for Unity
Prime Minister Tammam Salam hoped on Sunday that the case of the Lebanese soldiers and policemen abducted by jihadists would make a “step forward,” reiterating his call for patience and national unity to help Qatar mediate for their release.
“There is a decision to resolve this case in all possible ways,” said Salam following talks with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
But he stressed that the negotiations on the case of the abductees are in their “initial stage” and haven't reached the phase of release.
Salam was in Doha at the head of a delegation to tackle the abduction of the soldiers and policemen from the northeastern border town of Arsal in August.
He met upon his arrival with his counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Khalifa al-Thani and later the Emir, who threw a luncheon banquet in the delegation's honor.
He returned to Beirut the same day.
During his stay in Qatar, the PM reiterated his call for “patience” and “national unity” to resolve the case of the captives.
“The lives of the soldiers would be preserved through our unity and through the assistance provided mainly by Qatar,” he told the press conference
Earlier, Salam was asked by reporters upon his arrival in Doha if Qatar can pressure the armed groups to release the Lebanese captives, to which he replied: “We are asking Qatar for its assistance in this file. It will choose the manner of assistance.”
“We cannot confront terrorism while we are weak and fragmented,” he added.
“Internal unity, whether among the families of the captives, the cabinet, media, or army, is a main factor in confronting terrorism,” stressed the premier.
“We must stay united because any weakness or doubt will be exploited,” Salam noted.
The prime minister was accompanied on his trip by Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi, Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi Zoaiter, Culture Minister Rony Araiji, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, and General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim.
Salam said brahim will remain in Qatar to resolve the case of the captives.
“We hope we would make a step forward because the intentions are there and there is continuous contact with Qatar,” he added.
The premier had previously visited Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in order to address the file of the abductees, said the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyassah on Sunday.
The soldiers and policemen were taken captive by Islamist militants in light of clashes in Arsal between the army and the gunmen who infiltrated the town from Syria.
A few of the captives have since been released, while two others were beheaded, prompting a backlash against Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
A ministerial panel has been tasked with following up the case.
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