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.