DOHA: Successful mediation by Qatar has seen 16 Lebanese soldiers released from captivity in Lebanon. The soldiers were released yesterday in exchange of 25 prisoners who included 17 women and their children, reports Qatar News Agency (QNA).
The soldiers were captured some one year and four months ago in the mountains near Arsal city, which is located on Lebanon’s border with Syria.
Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam, in a telephone call to Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed his thanks and appreciation on the success of the Qatari mediation which has in cooperation with the Lebanese General Security resulted in the release of the abducted soldiers.
The Lebanese premier also thanked the Emir for the tireless efforts made by the concerned bodies in Qatar in order to work for the release of the soldiers.
Former Lebanese president General Michel Sleiman also expressed his thanks to the Emir in a telephone call yesterday on the role of Qatar in securing the release of the abducted Lebanese soldiers.
QNA quoted a statement issued by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry saying that Qatar mediated at the request of the Lebanese government. “Relevant entities in Qatar then made vigorous and intensive efforts in cooperation with Lebanon’s General Security to secure the release of the captured Lebanese soldiers,” QNA said.
Lebanese Minister of Justice, Ashraf Rifi, expressed his gratitude to the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Qatar’s people for their vigorous effort to get released from captivity the Lebanese servicemen who were captured in Arsal in August 2014 and had been held since then.
Lebanon’s Ambassador to Qatar, Hassan Najam said, expressing gratitude to Qatar and the Emir for the soldiers’ release, that Qatar has always come to his country’s rescue in the event of crises.
The success of the humanitarian initiatives is the result of Qatar’s vision that prioritises peaceful and political solutions for crises, the Foreign Ministry statement said, according to QNA.
The statement added that the Qatari effort stemmed from its absolute belief in the achievement of its humanitarian and moral principles and its keenness to protect people’s lives and ensure their right to freedom and dignity.
The soldiers arrived at an exchange point on the outskirts of Arsal where they were handed to the Lebanese side and exchanged for the prisoners.
“They (the soldiers) said they were treated well during their captivity, and expressed delight at their release,” QNA said.
As part of the deal, the Lebanese Red Cross received the body of serviceman, Mohamed Hamieh, who was recently killed by militant groups.
The Lebanese General Directorate of General Security, in a statement, expressed gratitude to all who helped in the “achievement of the humanitarian and patriotic process that led to the return of the servicemen to their homes and families”.
“The release of the soldiers involved negotiations that passed through tough stages,” said Najam. “Had Qatar not mediated, we shudder to think what would have happened.”
The mediation was very successful, said Najam, adding that Qatar has always been helpful to Lebanon and has issued large numbers of work visas for Lebanese people. According to the ambassador, every Lebanese national is extremely pleased with the development. “And on the mouth of every Lebanese today there are words of praise for Qatar,” the ambassador added.
The Peninsula
