Lebanon loses bargaining chip in prisoner exchange deal

Masked gunmen man a checkpoint in Bazalia village, home of Lebanese soldier Ali al-Bazzal who was killed by Nusra Front, on a road that links Arsal to Baalbek December 6, 2014. Syria's al Qaeda offshoot Nusra said on Friday it killed captive Lebanese soldier al-Bazzal in retaliation for the arrest by Lebanese authorities of women identified as wives of Islamist militants. The soldier was one of more than two dozen members of the security forces taken captive by militants affiliated to the Nusra Front and Is

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Relatives of Lebanese soldiers, who were captured by Islamist militants in Arsal, protest demanding the release of the remaining soldiers and pressuring the government to act, as families block a road in Saifi village in Beirut December 6, 2014. Families of Lebanese soldiers held by militants blocked roads in Beirut and highways between major cities on Saturday, pressing the government to do more to free them. More than two dozen members of the Lebanese security forces are being held by Sunni Islamists. REU

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Lebanon loses bargaining chip in prisoner exchange deal

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