Twenty-one Lebanese soldiers and police being held captive by Islamic militants in the town of Arsal are hoping that the mediation proceedings being conducted by the Qatar government will win their safe release.  About thirty Lebanese soldiers and police were kidnapped when ISIS and Nusra Front took control of the town briefly in August of 2014.  Seven of the hostages were subsequently released, and three have been killed.

The militant groups have demanded that Lebanon release Islamic prisoners being held at Roumieh Prison, and have stated that this request should be very easy for the government to grant.  ISIS has flatly accused the Lebanese government of “procrastination” and there are fears they will begin executing the hostages if their demands are not met.

The mediator working with both sides flew in from Qatar, an Islamic country that often serves as a moderate go-between in similar negotiations.  However, ISIS has demonstrated a reluctance to compromise in some of its other dealings, although its rhetoric is softer when engaged with other Islamic forces.

The Lebanese Prime Minister, Tammam Salam, had previous offered to trade himself for the hostages, an offer ISIS and Nusra Front did not respond to.  However, Salam has also been accused of inflaming the situation by having the Lebanese military move against ISIS in area of the country, threatening the lives of the hostages.  For the moment, however, mediation proceedings are scheduled to continue, and no further threats have been issued by the militant groups.