Qatar Ends Arsal Hostage Mediation

Local Editor

Qatar has ended its mediation in the case of Lebanese soldiers and policemen taken hostage by extremist groups in August following the killing of policeman Ali Bazzal by the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.

Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Sunday night that it had launched the mediation efforts upon Lebanon's request and for humanitarian reasons.

But it put an end to its efforts after its envoy failed to resolve the crisis.
Qatar regretted the killing of Bazzal and renewed its commitment to exert all diplomatic efforts to save lives.

The mediation's end came after the families of the servicemen, who were taken hostage by al-Nusra Front and the "ISIL" group from the northeastern town of Arsal in August, blocked roads across Lebanon.

The relatives accuse the Lebanese authorities of procrastinating in meeting the demands of the extremists.

Following the weekend turmoil, Prime Minister Tammam Salam refused to give details to his visitors on the latest meeting of the committee which is tasked with overseeing the hostage file.

Asked about the security situation in the country, Salam said: "There is nothing comforting ... but things are under control."

Salam preferred to keep discretion, the visitors told an-Nahar daily in remarks published on Monday.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team