Jumblat Urges Lebanon to Follow in U.S. Footsteps in Swap Deal
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat called on the Lebanese authorities to walk in the footsteps of the United States, which in May released high-profile Afghan inmates in return for the sole remaining American military hostage.
“When a superpower such as the United States swaps a soldier with five high-profile Taliban (members), then small states such as us could make a similar sacrifice to bring back our soldiers,” Jumblat told As Safir daily in remarks published on Friday.
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was released in late May after Qatar served as a go-between during the negotiations.
The PSP leader reiterated his call for an unconditional swap in the case of the Lebanese soldiers and policemen taken hostage by jihadists in the northeastern border town of Arsal in August.
The extremists from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group are demanding the release of Islamists held by the Lebanese authorities to set free the servicemen.
Doha was also involved in the negotiations to set free the Lebanese troops but it withdrew its mediation last week.
G.K.
H.K.
12 December 2014, 08:01
05
it is about time that something concrete is done to release our soldiers.
12 December 2014, 08:17
20
I agree with Jumblatt. there should be a swap. a honorable swap. Then the army should go in and clean Arsal's jurd.
After that, the resistance brigades should be disarmed.
12 December 2014, 08:34
15
"After that, the resistance brigades should be disarmed."
why after that? Why not today, why not yesterday?
12 December 2014, 09:20
04
don't forget to include protecting us from Boko Haram, Abu Sayyaf, and the Mexican drug cartel.
12 December 2014, 08:40
15
Looooool the Resistance Brigades are such a nuisance. The real problem is Hezbollah, they're the ones who should be disarmed
12 December 2014, 11:20
02
This statement coming from a man who kept his silence for over 30 years over the real identity of the murderers of his father Kamal which resulted in the cold blooded murder of 100s of innocent Christians by his henchmen must confirm only one thing, that this man has long long since expired the very mandate of his role as Lebanon's top political clown, if not top position then second only to Michel Aoun.
