Mustaqbal Says March 14 Initiative Can Lead to Agreement, Urges 'Appropriate' Measures to Free Troops

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc said Tuesday that an initiative announced earlier in the day by the March 14 camp can “pave the way to reaching an agreement over the new president,” calling on the government to take whatever measures it sees “appropriate” to liberate the troops who were abducted during Arsal's clashes.

March 14's initiative “paves the way to reaching an agreement over the new president, crossing this important national juncture and steering Lebanon to the safety shore,” said the bloc in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

In the initiative that was announced at parliament, the March 14 forces maintained their support for Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea's presidential bid while voicing readiness to strike an agreement with the other camp over electing the candidate who enjoys the needed support to become the country's “consensual” president.

Separately, Mustaqbal tackled the latest battle between the army and jihadist militants in and around the Bekaa border town of Arsal, noting that “the basic requirements for the success of the confrontation against the terrorist groups lies in the Lebanese people's embracement and support of the state and the firm and unwavering support for the military and security institutions.”

The bloc also reiterated its call for the deployment of the army along the entire eastern and northern borders and for seeking the assistance of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in this task.

Mustaqbal underlined that the Constitution “exclusively” entrusts the Lebanese army with the mission of protecting Lebanon's borders, warning against recent calls by “some forces” for “using militia members for this mission.”

Describing the liberation of the captive soldiers and policemen as the top priority during this period, the bloc called for preserving the state's prestige and sovereignty in the negotiations.

However, it said that “full confidence” must be placed in the prime minister and the government to “take all measures they see appropriate to secure the release of all abductees.”

The Islamic State jihadist group and the Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front overran the town of Arsal in clashes that began in early August after the arrest of a Syrian accused of belonging to an extremist group.

Twenty soldiers, dozens of jihadists and 16 civilians were killed in the fighting that ended after mediation by Lebanese clerics.

After the truce, the militants withdrew from Arsal but they have continued to hold around 30 soldiers and policemen taken hostage during the fighting.

The militants are seeking to negotiate the release of the hostages in exchange for Islamist prisoners held in Lebanese jails.

The fighting in Arsal was the most serious border incident since the conflict in Syria began in March 2011.

Families of the remaining soldiers and police hostages have blocked roads in Lebanon in a bid to pressure the government to secure the release of their relatives.

Y.R.