Report: Mediator Awaits Message on Fate of Abducted Soldiers
The fate of the Lebanese soldiers held captive by the Islamic State group could see a glimpse of light after reports that the kidnappers might accept a deal to open a channel of negotiations with the Lebanese state, al-Akhbar daily reported on Monday.
The mediator negotiating the file of the soldiers was informed that the military Emir of the IS in the Syrian al-Qalamoun region bordering Lebanon, Mwafaq Abu el-Sous, sent a message to the “capital of the caliphate in al-Reqqa” promising a positive outcome with regard to the fate of the soldiers, the daily said.
The message expressed readiness to open a channel of negotiations with the Lebanese state.
In August 2014, more than 25 soldiers were taken hostage by Islamic State and al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front during clashes with the Lebanese army in the northeastern border town of Arsal.
The IS beheaded two soldiers while al-Nusra executed another two.
Late in 2015, al-Nusra released 16 servicemen through a Qatari-mediated deal that also included a prisoner swap to release a number of Islamists from Lebanese jails.
Nine hostages are still in the captivity of the IS and their families do not know much about their fate.
D.A.
G.K.
Source: Naharnet
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