The main roads connecting Beirut with the Bekaa Valley were blocked Wednesday by families and supporters of the kidnapped Lebanese soldiers and policemen, following through on their threats to step up protests to pressure the government into negotiating with their captors.
The protesters blocked the main Damascus Highway and the Zahle-Tarshish road with burning tires, vowing not to reopen the vital routes until the captives were released safely.
The families also erected a tent in Dahr al-Baidar, near a security checkpoint on the Damascus Highway, in an attempt to isolate the Bekaa from the capital and Mount Lebanon.
“We hold the government responsible for what has happened and for what might happen in the future,” said the sister of a captive soldier.
She appealed to rival Lebanese politicians to act quickly to resolve the issue, calling for swapping the captive personnel with Islamist detainees held in Roumieh Prison, the main demand of the militants.
“Beware of the anger of the mothers ... We want you to secure the liberation of our sons quickly,” one of the captives’ father said.
At least 21 personnel are held by jihadist militants from the Nusra Front and ISIS who want to use them as a bargaining chip to secure the release of prisoners in Roumieh.
They were among more than 30 soldiers and policemen captured during fierce clashes between the Army and the militants in the border town of Arsal last August. Since then three soldiers have been executed and seven released. Both ISIS and Nusra are threatening to kill more captives unless the government fulfills their demands.
