Qatari mediators arrived in the outskirts of Arsal Tuesday, and began negotiating with militants holding at least 21 security personnel hostage, a security source told The Daily Star.
A source also acquainted with the militants confirmed the Qatari delegation had begun negotiating with the militants, saying that “negotiations have just become serious.”
The Nusra Front and ISIS militants took more than 30 policemen and soldiers captive in August. Nusra has released six captives and executed one solider, while ISIS executed two soldiers so far.
The renewed seriousness in the negotiations was evidenced by the release of several Syrian refugees detained by the Lebanese Army, the source added.
The Lebanese Army raided several refugee camps in Arsal earlier this week and arrested refugees on the suspicion of terrorist affiliations.
Earlier this week, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk said that Cabinet supports negotiations through intermediaries, clarifying that negotiations are currently being held through Qatari and Turkish officials as well as Lebanese intermediaries.
Prime Minster Tammam Salam also called for Qatari mediation this week, saying that it was up to Qatar to negotiate a deal with the militants.
