Berri Deems as 'Scandal' Images of Nusra in Arsal as he Congratulates Servicemen on Release
Speaker Nabih Berri hailed on Wednesday the release of the servicemen who were held hostage by the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front, but lamented the “scandal” that accompanied their release in the northeastern border region of Arsal.
He said: “The footage of the gunmen on the outskirts of Arsal is a scandal against Lebanon's sovereignty.”
He made his remarks during his weekly meeting with lawmakers at his Ain el-Tineh residence.
“We however congratulate the families of the released servicemen on their loved ones' freedom,” Berri added.
Al-Nusra Front released on Tuesday all 16 of the hostages it had abducted from Arsal in the wake of clashes with the army in August 2014.
They were released in a Qatari-sponsored deal that included a prisoner swap with inmates in Lebanese and Syrian jails.
Footage of the exchange on Tuesday showed images of gunmen from the Nusra Front freely roaming the outskirts of Arsal.
Commenting on the latest political developments, Berri stressed before his visitors the importance of dialogue “to bolster the consensual atmosphere.”
“Dialogue will remain the correct path to solving our problems,” he added.
The Islamic State had also kidnapped a number of servicemen after the August clashes.
Nine are still being held by it.
M.T.
D.A.
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