Al-Nusra Front has assigned Sheikh Wissam al-Masri, with a written authorization, to be in charge of the negotiations with the Lebanese government aimed at releasing the army prisoners. The authorization is not a commission in the literal sense, but is rather a preliminary approval by al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) of a new mediator, following initial reports that the kidnappers completely reject the mediation of the Association of Muslim Scholars. This is with regards to the statement. As for Sheikh Wissam al-Masri, he has informed Al-Akhbar that he received a pledge from the al-Nusra Front that the army prisoners will not be harmed.
Al-Masri said that he got approval from al-Nusra Front and ISIS to act as mediator in the negotiations. He revealed that he handed the written authorization to the Lebanese government through the security services, from whom he should obtain written permission before heading to the outskirts of Ersal to meet with the kidnappers. Al-Akhbar learned that the mediator communicated with officers in the Army Intelligence and Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces in this regard, but he is waiting to meet with the Director General of General Security, Major-General Abbas Ibrahim.