Cleric Briefly Held for Accompanying Syrian Gunmen to Arsal Outskirts

The army arrested Muslim Scholars Committee member Sheikh Hossam al-Ghali on Sunday as he was heading to the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal along with four Syrian gunmen of whom one was carrying an explosive belt.

Ghali was reportedly seeking to hold talks with the kidnappers of the Lebanese troops and servicemen when he was arrested.

Several TV networks said the Committee has tasked him with obtaining a pledge from the captors that they will not harm or execute any hostage from now on.

In an official statement released earlier on Sunday, the Army Command said troops intercepted in Arsal “a Nissan Armada SUV carrying 5 people, including two Syrian fugitives.”

“They were all on their way to the area's outskirts and one of them was carrying an explosive belt,” said the army.

It noted that they were also carrying two hand grenades, three assault rifles, four pistols, a quantity of bullets and a communication device.

“Army forces detonated the explosive belt in the aforementioned area, while the detainees and the seized material were referred to the competent authorities,” the statement added.

It did not mention any names.

According to MTV, Ghali was seeking to “obtain a pledge from the kidnappers on halting executions and threats, at the behest of (Interior Minister Nouhad) al-Mashnouq.”

“We were told by the relevant authorities that Sheikh al-Ghali is not detained and that he is only giving his testimony,” MTV quoted Muslim Scholars Committee sources as saying.

The cleric was released later on Sunday but the fate of the four Syrians remained unknown. They had all been transferred to the Ablah military barracks for interrogation.

Earlier on Sunday, state-run National News Agency said “the army apprehended Sheikh Hossameddine Gh. along with four Syrians of whom one was carrying an explosive belt at the Wadi Hmeid checkpoint in Arsal.”

But MTV and al-Jadeed TV said there were “three clerics” -- a Lebanese and 2 Syrians -- among the detainees.

LBCI television said the Syrians were “accompanying the cleric to the outskirts to meet al-Nusra (Front) officials.”

“Sheikh al-Ghali asked the Syrians whether they were carrying any weapons before they got into the car and they said they were not,” LBCI said.

Speaking to al-Jadeed TV later on Sunday, Ghali said: "Security agencies have promised to continue the interrogation of those who were with me and to release them tomorrow."

"We went today (to Arsal) after being authorized by security and political authorities to obtain a pledge on halting executions in return for the release of women detainees," the cleric added.

The hostage troops and policemen were captured when jihadists from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State groups briefly overran Arsal in August and engaged in fierce battles with the Lebanese army.

Four captives have been executed so far, and the jihadists have threatened to kill the remaining hostages unless there is a deal to free Islamist prisoners in Lebanon.

The Muslim Scholars Committee has recently announced that it will seek a pledge from the captors on halting executions.

Y.R.