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Muslim Scholars Association meets PM Salam, suspends mediation efforts

22-08-2014 | 08:43

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Muslim Scholars Association meets PM Salam, suspends mediation efforts

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Prime Minister Tammam Salam met on Friday with a delegation of the Muslim Scholars Association to discuss mediation efforts conducted for the release of the kidnapped ISF and LAF soldiers.

Following the meeting, the Association declared that it will suspend all activities to make way for other sides to deploy efforts in this regard.

Prior to the meeting, sources close to Salam stressed that the government is keen on the release of the kidnapped Lebanese soldiers, noting that the PM is holding closed-door consultations with Arab officials in a bid to settle the file.

At least 30 ISF and Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers remain missing, presumably kidnapped by the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front militants, in the wake of deadly clashes that erupted in the northeastern border town of Arsal on August 01.

Clashes flared up when Syrian gunmen deployed across the region after the Lebanese Armed Forces arrested Imad Jomaa at a checkpoint. The clashes left at least 20 soldiers dead and 86 injured.

On Thursday (August 07), a military source stated that a truce in Arsal appeared to be holding and the situation in the border town was quiet.

The Muslim Scholars Committee has launched an initiative to ensure the return of the kidnapped soldiers and served as a mediator between the gunmen and the Lebanese authorities.

The gunmen had issued a list of demands, which include the release of several Islamist inmates from the infamous Roumieh prison. A demand the interior minister had rejected.

Lebanese security officials say the fighters include members of al Qaeda's Syria branch, the Nusra Front, and an al Qaeda splinter group, the Islamic State, which has seized swathes of land in Syria and Iraq.

Minister of Interior Nohad Machnouq told al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim was not conducting any negotiations with any foreign parties pertaining to the kidnapped soldiers in Arsal.

Machnouq stressed the importance of keeping the negotiations to release the troops under wraps to ensure the safe return of the soldiers.

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