Qatar’s intelligence chief and a Lebanese General Security team crossed into Syria on Sunday from the Bekaa town of Arsal to receive the Maalula nuns who will be freed by their abductors, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. “Qatari intelligence chief Ghanim al-Kubaisi and a General Security delegation have crossed Arsal towards the Syrian border ahead of the release of the Maalula nuns,” NNA said. Meanwhile, local and regional TV networks aired footage showing heavy presence by General Security agents and reporters at the al-Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria.

 

A number of Christian and Muslim clergymen were also spotted in the border area of Jdeidet Yabous. MTV said it was not clear yet whether the nuns’ convoy would take the Yabrud-Arsal-Masnaa route or the road from Yabrud towards Syria’s al-Zabadani and Damascus ahead of traveling towards al-Masnaa. [Link]