Ibrahim: I'm Backed by All Political Forces and Hizbullah is a Lebanese Party
General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim announced Tuesday that he enjoys the support of “all political forces” in the ongoing negotiations to evacuate around 9,000 refugees and militants from the outskirts of the Lebanese border town of Arsal in return for the release of eight Hizbullah captives.
The negotiations followed a military offensive by Hizbullah and Syrian troops that saw them capture border areas between the two countries and leave hundreds of Nusra fighters besieged in a small rugged mountainous area. The fighting had ended with a ceasefire on Thursday.
“Things are very delicate and could be resolved in less than a few hours but might also protract further,” Ibrahim told reporters during a visit to the north Bekaa town of al-Labweh.
Asked why he is “negotiating to secure the release of Hizbullah captives,” the major general said: “Those whom I'm negotiating to secure their release are Lebanese citizens regardless of their political affiliation and we will agree to the conditions while preserving our dignity and the sovereignty of our country.”
“The aim of the negotiations is a noble humanitarian one. Hizbullah is a Lebanese party and those whom we are negotiating to secure their release are Lebanese,” Ibrahim added.
“I negotiated over the Maalula nuns and most of them were Syrian, so how can I not negotiate over Lebanese nationals who have defended our land?” the major general explained.
As for the fate of the Lebanese troops who were abducted by the Islamic State group in 2014, Ibrahim said “there are no negotiations at the moment,” while stressing that he has pledged to resolve their case.
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