The Lebanese government stressed that the liberation of the abducted soldiers cannot be a matter of swap but rather negotiations undertaken via international channels.
The Lebanese government stressed that the liberation of the abducted soldiers cannot be a matter of swap but rather negotiations undertaken via international channels.
Information Minister, Ramzi Jreij, was speaking in the wake of the conclusion of today's weekly Cabinet session at the Grand Serail under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, Tammam Salam, to tackle the current security situation, notably Arsal events.
Opening up today's session, the Cabinet stood a minute of silence in honor of the souls of former Minister, Farid Roufael, and army martyr Ali Sayyed, at the request of Premier Salam.
Minister Jreij disclosed that Salam carried out a number of contacts with various international sides that can have a role in obtaining the release of the abducted military men, stressing that addressing this issue necessitates a unified position by the Council of Ministers, in addition to an absolute ministerial solidarity.
Interior and Municipalities Minister, Nuhad Mashnouq, briefed the Cabinet on the already accomplished stages of the process of liberating the kidnapped soldiers, underscoring the need to continue these efforts in line with the decisions to be taken by the Council of Ministers.
"Cabinet ministers unanimously agreed on the necessity of a unified position in this regard," Jreij said, adding that ministerial solidarity helps in ensuring the success of contacts undertaken to release the abducted soldiers.
The Cabinet unanimously agreed that that the safety of the kidnapped hostages cannot be the subject of compromise or swap operation, cautioning against attempts to shift the course of battle to a dispute between citizens and the state- at a time efforts should be unified between the state and citizens in the fight against Takfiri terrorists.
Jreij also announced that a crisis committee has been set up, chaired by Premier Salam, to follow up on the issue of the abducted soldiers and the present situation in and around Arsal. The committee is comprised of Ministers of Defense, Finance, Interior, Justice and Foreign Affairs.
The Cabinet also emphasized the government's support for the tasks undertaken by the army and security forces in Arsal and its surroundings, demanding both commands to take all the necessary measures to control the security situation there and the liberation of the kidnapped soldiers.
Jreij also quoted the Premier's emphasis on the need for a speedy election of a new president of the republic, in order to avert negative implications on the functioning of constitutional institutions and the political and security situation.
On the other hand, the Cabinet urged media outlets to abide by accuracy and objectivity in their news coverage of the subject of the kidnapped soldiers and their families, asking them to extricate this matter out of exploitation and provocation, in order to safeguard civil peace and prevent the transformation of media outlets into platforms serving the interests of Takfiris.
The Council tasked the Minister of Information to take the appropriate measures against any violations.
The kidnapped soldiers' families protested during the cabinet session off the Grand Serail and demanded the government to secure the release of their sons.
