Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Arsal Deal: Release of Hezbollah Captives, Withdrawal of Nusra, Thousands of Civilians | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55379920
Caption:

Lebanese army soldiers patrol a street at the entrance of the border town of Arsal, in eastern Bekaa Valley, Lebanon June 30, 2017. REUTERS/Hassan Abdallah


Beirut- The deal agreed upon between “Hezbollah” and “Jabhat Nusra” is expected to get in effect at the end of this week – the deal has put an end to the ongoing clashes in the barrens of Arsal.

More than 5,000 civilians and armed Syrians have registered their names to leave to Qalamoun and Idlib as part of the deal that also states the release of eight captives from “Hezbollah” as three of them were newly captivated on Thursday night in addition to the other five.

Deputy Mayor of Arsal Rima Karnabi said that as an outcome for the settlement reached between Hezbollah and Jabhat Nusra, 5,000 Syrians have registered their names to depart to Idlib and Qalamoun.

“This settlement has led to a huge relief in Arsal, especially that it introduces the departure of other refugees. This would reduce pressure on Lebanese citizens,” Karnabi told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Sources from the Free Syrian Army stated that refugees are expected to arrive to Idlb in two days, denying in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that Jabhat Nusra is refusing to receive Jabhat Nusra’s emir in Qalamoun, Abu Malek al-Shami (also known as Abu Malek al-Talli).

“In all the cases, we were informed that Jabhat Nusra received funds from a state to settle this deal,” sources added.

During a meeting on Saturday, Hezbollah announced that the existence of Jabhat Nusra was curbed, knowing that it had laid hands over 100 kilometers of Arsal barrens.

Sources reported that the Lebanese Army is closely following up the implementation of the deal to decide the zero hour to launch the battle – “The Lebanese Army has prepared two plans: plan (a) includes a military action and plan (b) includes a settlement that leads to the withdrawal of ISIS to Syria,” sources stated.