BEIRUT: Families of 25 Lebanese servicemen being held hostage by Islamist militants announced Tuesday that they have reopened a critical road in Downtown Beirut, as jihadis pitched a fresh offer to the Lebanese government, ministerial sources said. Speaking after a meeting with Health Minister Wael Abu Faour and Prime Minister Tammam Salam in the Grand Serail Tuesday, the families’ spokesperson said the decision came after the families sensed the government was beginning to take the issue of freeing the captives seriously. But the families said they would remain camped outside the Grand Serail at Riad al-Solh Square.
“This is a Christmas gift for the prime minister to thank him for his efforts,” and a gift for the Lebanese people, the spokesperson said during a televised news conference.Abu Faour, who joined the news conference, said the decision to open the road came after the families put their trust in the government.
The spokesperson announced that the families have entered a “phase of silence” over developments in negotiations, noting that they have been asked to keep all information away from the media.
The families have set up a number of tents in Riad al-Solh square, where they have been protesting for more than two months against what they perceived as a lack of effort on the part of the government to free their sons.
Ministerial sources told The Daily Star that the unexpected move to reopen the road came after the mediator appointed by Abu Faour, Arsal deputy mayor Ahmad Fliti, came back with a proposal to resolve the crisis following a visit to the outskirts of the northeastern town of Arsal for talks with ISIS militants.
Abu Faour relayed the offer – whose details are classified – to Salam and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt. Salam, according to the sources, said the government would respond to the offer on the condition that the families’ camp is dismantled.
Abu Faour was only able to convince the families to reopen the vital road near the Grand Serail, the sources said, adding that Fliti would now convey the government’s response to the militants’ offer.
At least 25 soldiers and policemen are being held hostage by jihadis from ISIS and the Nusra Front on the outskirts of the northeastern town of Arsal. The captives were abducted during the clashes in Arsal in August.
Also Tuesday, Hezbollah’s deputy chief said the party would start taking action to secure the release of the Lebanese servicemen, but would not disclose any details to the media.
“We will follow up on this matter and our actions will be, as usual, away from media,” Sheikh Naim Qassem said after meeting the families of the servicemen. “This case requires secret, meticulous and wise follow-up.”
“The method that has been used so far has led to the fall of many honorable martyrs,” he said. “This should teach us about dealing with secrecy and through a unified channel.”
In his speech, Qassem also implied that Hezbollah supported a swap deal to end the hostage crisis.
“We have announced since the first day at the Cabinet, that Hezbollah supports direct or indirect negotiations,” he said. “We understand that there is no bargaining without a price to pay.”
After the meeting, the families headed to Bkirki, where they met with Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai.
Rai expressed “full solidarity” with the families, and promised to do his best in contributing to the release of their sons.
“There are talks about a swap deal, so be it,” Rai said in a news conference after the meeting. “Let the Cabinet find the suitable swap deal formula. The servicemen’s lives [are too precious].”
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