The Association of Muslim Scholars announced on Friday after a meeting with PM Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail that they will no longer mediate in the issue of releasing abducted soldiers.

The Association of Muslim Scholars announced on Friday after a meeting with PM Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail that they will no longer mediate in the issue of releasing abducted soldiers.

The Muslim Scholars comittee stated that its mediation would stop in order to allow room for other parties to settle the abductees' file.

Around 20 Lebanese soldiers and policemen were kidnapped by terrorist groups, including mainly ISIL and Nusra, during the recent clashes with the army in Arsal before they withdrew and moved the hostages to the barrens of the town at the International borders with Syria.

Media reports mentioned Friday that the negotiations with terrorist kidnappers has deteriorated as they demanded the Lebanese government to release extremist prisoners in return of freeing the hostages.