BEIRUT: A Salafist sheikh who was rumored to be the new mediator appointed by jihadi militants for the hostage negotiations claimed Wednesday that the Nusra Front would release at least one captive if the state officially tasks him as a mediator.
“The Nusra Front pledged to release a soldier or more after I am officially tasked with the negotiations as a goodwill gesture on the condition that the process of negotiations occurs in a faster pace,” Muslim Scholars Committee member Sheikh Wissam Masri told As-Safir in comments published Wednesday.
Masri’s announcement came less than 24 hours after a Nusra Front “prominent figure” reportedly told Anadolu News Agency that the group had “not issued any statement tasking Sheikh Wissam Masri or any mediator with negotiations over the Lebanese servicemen.”
Masri said the militants were losing hope regarding the negotiations with Lebanon, adding that he received a call Tuesday night informing him that the Nusra Front will revoke his appointment soon.
“The state has until Wednesday afternoon to task me officially with the negotiations or I will not tackle the matter anymore,” he said. “Consequently, everyone will be held responsible for their acts.”
On Tuesday, Masri told The Daily Star that he will withdraw from negotiations if the government did not officially appoint him by Tuesday evening.
The jihadis from ISIS and Nusra still hold 25 soldiers and policemen as captives since the end of Arsal’s clashes with the Lebanese Army in August. Qatar had appointed a Syrian national to mediate a swap deal, but withdrew him after the efforts failed two weeks ago.
The Salafist sheikh said the militants would not cooperate before the state implements a preliminary condition of releasing the wife of ISIS commander Anas Sharkas and the ex-wife of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
This is while Anadolu reported that the Lebanese government would appoint a new negotiator to resume the negotiations.
“Negotiations will not happen unless the Lebanese state appointed one side to tackle the matter with the kidnappers,” Anadolu’s source added.
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