The Muslim Scholars Committee asked the government to appoint a “neutral” mediator in negotiations for the release of kidnapped Lebanese security forces being held by Islamist militants; MSC chief Sheikh Malek Jadida said the abductors had “humanitarian” demands and that they also called for the withdrawal of Hezbollah from Syria. Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are said to be involved in the negotations. A security source claimed that the hostages and the militants are still in Arsal. The Army found launch pads in the al-Jarmak valley used for sending rockets into Israel.
