Ibrahim Rejects Claims by Nusra Front, Vows to Release Hostage Servicemen
General Security chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim preferred to remain mum over accusations by al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front that he is procrastinating a deal with the group to release the captive servicemen.
“I will not allow the blood spill of abducted servicemen for any of reason,” Ibrahim said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper on Wednesday.
He vowed to respond to all accusations at the right time, stressing that he will not tackle the matter with media outlets to ensure the success of negotiations.
Ibrahim had previously voiced fear in comments published in the General Security magazine over the failure of negotiations with the hostage takers in an attempt to improve the conditions.
Sources told An Nahar that the Qatari-appointed negotiator is currently in Turkey and will travel to Lebanon.
On Tuesday, the captive soldiers and policemen taken hostage by al-Nusra Front warned via a video tape released by the group that they will be executed if Syria's Qalamoun front was waged.
“If the Lebanese army and Hizbullah were dragged into a battle in Qalamoun, we will be the ones to pay the price,” one of the soldiers said.
They voiced fears that negotiations to free them are not serious nor honest, accusing Ibrahim of “lying to the families of the soldiers.”
“Where is the proof that we will be released in 10 days?” they inquired.
A number of soldiers and policemen were abducted by al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) gunmen in the wake of clashes in the northeastern border town of 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 Islamist prisoners held in Lebanon as a condition to set them free.
Media reports said recently that al-Nusra Front handed over to the Qatari appointed mediator a list of its demands in return for the release of the Lebanese soldiers and policemen in its captivity. While negotiations with the ISIL reached a dead end after the group placed tough conditions.
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