Ibrahim Denies Receiving Written Demands from Hostage-Takers

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General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim has denied that the Lebanese government received written demands from jihadists to set free the soldiers and policemen that they kidnapped in August.

Ibrahim said in remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Friday that news about all the names mentioned on lists are nothing but media reports.

Mediators have not yet received any serious official demand by the jihadists from al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group, he said.

“We are still awaiting the Qatari mediator” to return to Lebanon, Ibrahim told the daily.

He refused to give further details but called for keeping the case of the hostages away from the media spotlight in order to reach the expected results.

Ibrahim's denial came after LBCI TV said late Thursday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam's office has received from the militants the names of 44 people, who are held in Roumieh and al-Rihaniyeh prisons, whom they want to exchange with the hostages.

Among them are top terrorists.

The policemen and soldiers were taken captive when the militants overran the northeastern border town of Arsal in August and engaged in heavy clashes with the military.

The jihadists later executed three of the hostages.

G.K.

H.K.

Comments 1
Thumb lubnani.masi7i over 9 years

Ibrahim said in remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Friday that news about all the names mentioned on lists are nothing but media reports.

yes, hizbullah media reports as usual.