BEIRUT: The Future bloc Tuesday fell short of expressing support for a swap deal to secure the release of 25 Lebanese captives held by militant groups in Arsal's outskirts but said that it would stand by any decision taken by the Lebanese government.
“The bloc expresses its full solidarity with the families of the hostages and encourages and supports the government in its decision to carry out direct negotiations in any way the government and the prime minister see fit,” read a statement released after the bloc's weekly meeting.
The bloc also called for a media block over the negotiation dossier until the captives are released, stressing the need to keep the details of negotiations away from the news as to avoid an exaggeration of the facts and the ensuing tensions.
According to the Future lawmakers, media coverage of negotiations may disrupt the release of the captives, threaten the secrecy of negotiations and in turn, lead to its ultimate failure.
Shifting to the war-next-door, the bloc condemned an Israeli aerial attack that targeted areas around the Damascus airport Sunday.
“The bloc is surprised that the assault didn’t receive any response from Syrian regime forces that intimidate their people,” the statement said, pointing out the discrepancy between the regime’s non-response towards Israel and the “mass murder” of its people.
“This proves the regime’s animosity is towards its people and its people alone.”
The statement also condemned the wide-spread prevalence of illegitimate arms in the country, while slamming gunmen for blocking roads leading to Arsal earlier this week.
Roads were blocked in predominantly Shiite villages leading to the northeastern town of Arsal over the weekend shortly after the Nusra Front announced that it had executed captive policeman Ali Bazzal.
The Future bloc stressed that road closures were strictly and exclusively under the prerogatives of security forces as it urged area residents to abstain from blocking roads leading to and from Arsal. The residents of the murdered policeman's hometown of Bazzalieh announced they had reopened all roads on Tuesday in compliance with the orders of the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces.
As for highly anticipated talks between Hezbollah and The Future Movement, the convened agreed on the importance of direct and collective dialogue.
Talks would aim to resolve the presidential stalemate, revitalize state-institutions, and ease tensions in the country, the statement read.
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