Reports: Al-Nusra Halts Negotiations as Jihadists Put Harsh Conditions to Release Hostages

The al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front has announced that it would not negotiate the release of Lebanese soldiers and police unless the Lebanese authorities resolve the situation in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

The jihadist group, which took the troops and policemen hostage along with Islamic State fighters last month, said on twitter on Friday night: “There is no negotiation on our behalf in the case of the Lebanese soldiers being held captive until things are fully fixed in Arsal.”

“We hope we won't have to escalate,” added the tweet.

The Lebanese army has been clamping down on fighters hiding in Syrian encampments in Arsal, drawing condemnation by the refugees.

The new warning came hours after Abou Malek al-Talleh, the so-called emir of al-Nusra in Qalamun, warned that “jihadists are in their thousands across Lebanon, awaiting the permission to start the battle."

LBCI TV also reported that a deal was currently in the making under which an exchange will occur between al-Nusra and the Lebanese army, which will include the captive troops and gunmen who were arrested in Arsal during and after the gunbattles between the soldiers and the jihadists last month.

But cabinet ministers denied in remarks published in An Nahar daily on Saturday that there was any progress in the case of the hostages.

The newspaper also quoted informed sources as saying that the negotiations were not limited to a few Lebanese officials.

“The issue is very complicated and the terrorists are resorting to extortion,” the sources said. “That's why it is necessary to keep the negotiations secret and away from the media spotlight.”

The sources did not give further details on the demands of the jihadists.

But al-Liwaa daily said that al-Nusra Front and the IS were demanding the release of five terrorists.

They are Abou Salim Taha, Joumana Hmeid, Imad Jomaa, Naim Abbas and Omar al-Atrash.

All five are in custody for involvement in terrorist activities in Lebanon.

It was not clear if the Lebanese authorities would meet such an alleged demand or would try to procrastinate as winter approaches.

As Safir daily quoted informed security sources as saying that the jihadists were short on food and ammunition given the measures taken by the Syrian army on the other side of the border and the recent steps taken by the Lebanese military to block roads on the outskirts of Arsal.

The sources expected bad weather conditions to put a further strain on the militants and lead to a breakthrough in the negotiations to release the hostages.

But the sources did not rule out renewed confrontations between the Lebanese army and the militants.