By Gulf news- Joseph A. Kechichian, Senior Writer
Beirut: The fate of nine Lebanese Army soldiers, allegedly taken
hostage on August 2, 2014 by either Daesh or Fateh Al Sham (former Al
Qaida-affiliated Al Nusra Front), gained attention this week after
several remains were found near Arsal near the Syrian border
On
Tuesday, authorities requested family members to give DNA samples,
ostensibly to verify whether they matched with any of those missing. On
Friday, local news channels reported that the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) would first share the results of various tests conducted over the
course of the past 24 hours with family members, before revealing
details to the public.
It was unclear, however, when anxious
families — some of whom have held a two-and-a-half-year vigil at Riad El
Solh Square — would be briefed. Staff members overseeing the matter
were mum, however, with Hussain Yousuf, the father of captured soldier
Mohammad Youssuf, claiming that he would only trust head of the General
Security Major-General Abbas Ebrahim.
Conflicting reports
circulated throughout the day, with some sources insisting that the DNA
samples taken from parents did not match those collected from the
remains. Others affirmed the opposite which was why Hussain Yousuf
persisted with his prerogative to hear from the person in charge.
The
remains were apparently discovered by hunters along the porous
frontier, were wearing blue or orange clothing and, according to a
security source, showed signs of having been executed.
Major-General
Ebrahim told the LBC television channel that he would only announce
official results when the investigation is completed. The officer
declined to state where the remains were and which institution was
entrusted with the scientific investigation.
The nine soldiers
were part of a contingent of 32 officers and policemen kidnapped in
2014, of whom seven were executed and 16 released in a deal brokered by
Qatari mediators on December 1, 2015, when an exchange that entailed the
release of 13 prisoners, including five women, held by the Lebanese was
organised.
