BEIRUT: Hundreds of protesters stepped up action against the government Monday, blocking a vital highway linking Beirut with the Bekaa Valley to force authorities to speed up the release of at least 21 servicemen held captive by Islamist militants.
Families, friends and supporters of the Lebanese soldiers and policemen held hostage since early August threatened to camp out on the Dahr al-Baidar highway until their loved ones were freed.
The protesters blocked the road that links the Bekaa Valley to Mount Lebanon with burning tires, causing tailbacks for motorists heading to Beirut.
“We’re not leaving here. We will sleep here, on the road, until our sons are released,” said one protester.
The militants, whose main demand was to swap the soldiers with Islamist inmates held at Roumieh Prison, have released seven captives so far. They have also killed three of the Army soldiers held.
The protesters said the killings of captive soldiers continued amid a delay in negotiations and blamed Prime Minister Tammam Salam over his actions in dealing with the Islamists.
“For each soldier being slaughtered, the government must slaughter 10 Islamist prisoners at Roumieh,” one protester shouted.
“No. They must kill 15 Islamists for each soldier being killed,” another said.
Others, however, called on the government to negotiate with the militants.
“It’s not a big deal if the government releases some Islamist prisoners. Many of them have been jailed for 10 years where they should have spent only five,” said the mother of kidnapped policeman Ali Bazal.
Nusra Front has threatened to kill Bazal after it recently released a video showing the killing of Army soldier Mohammad Hammieh.
Bazal's mother warned Salam, as well as Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi, that she would “snatch” their sons if hers was not released.
The servicemen were kidnapped early in August during a brief incursion by ISIS and Nusra Front militants into the northeastern border town of Arsal.
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