BEIRUT: ISIS and the Nusra Front have different conditions for releasing the kidnapped Army soldiers and Policemen, the head of Lebanon’s General Security said upon his arrival in Qatar with a ministerial delegation led by Prime Minister Tammam Salam.
“ Qatar is playing the mediator role with Nusra and ISIS, whose conditions vary from feasible to incapacitating,” Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim said at the Doha airport.
“The demands of the soldiers' kidnappers are being announced from outside the Qalamoun,” he added, “and they vary between ISIS and Nusra.
“Separate negotiations are being carried with each.”
Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk, who also joined the delegation, said that Lebanon needed “the biggest international support” because of its geographical location near Iraq and Syria, which he called “the two fires.”
“ Qatar has a central role in the negotiations due to its relations with both the West and the Islamist movements, and Lebanon can make benefit of these relations,” he told reporters.
The minister said that while Salam was communicating with the Turkish government on the same matter, the country had not yet shown any advanced role in the negotiations.
Maj. Gen. Ibrahim said he had visited Turkey during the last few days but denied visiting Qatar recently.
The delegation, which also includes Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi, Culture Minister Raymond Areiji and Public Works Minister Ghazi Zeaiter, has started its first meeting with the Qatari emir.
Qatar became involved in the hostage crisis last week when it announced it would be carrying out negotiations between the Lebanese state and the extremist groups who kidnapped at least 30 soldiers and police officers during clashes with the Army in Arsal last month.
The Qatari delegation has met with Nusra Front commanders and prepared a list of demands to submit to the Lebanese government.
At least 22 of the security personnel are still being held hostage, and militants are demanding the release of Islamist prisoners detained at Roumieh Prison in exchange for the captives.
Lebanon’s government has officially announced that it will reject any exchange deal, saying this would harm the state’s prestige and open the door to similar acts in the future.
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