BEIRUT: Families of missing security personnel held captive by jihadist militant groups from Syria staged a protest outside the Grand Serail in Beirut Thursday, accusing the government of negligence and procrastination that further endangered the lives of their sons.
“We call on the government to show more seriousness in dealing with the issue and to work quickly to secure the safe return of the captives,” said a joint statement made by the families.
The families charged that the Army and security forces had been tightening the noose on Syrian refugees in Arsal, on Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria, further aggravating tensions with the militants from the Nusra Front and ISIS who are holding the captives.
“We wonder why the Army is taking escalatory measures in Arsal. We are upset with the way the government is handling the issue, which led to stagnation and lack of progress in the negotiations,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Tammam Salam met Thursday with the head of General Security, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, to discuss the crisis. Ibrahim, who has successfully negotiated the end to previous hostage crises with Syrian rebels, is representing Lebanon in the talks, which are being carried out through Qatari intermediaries.
At least 22 personnel are held captive by the two militant groups. They were among more than 30 captured in clashes between the Army and the militants in Arsal in early August. Two have been beheaded by ISIS, and seven released by the Nusra Front.
Earlier this week, Nusra and ISIS issued separate warnings threatening to kill a third soldier within 24 hours after expressing frustration with the government’s poor response to their conditions for releasing the captives, including the release of Islamist detainees held in Roumieh Prison.
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