Isis Demands Release of 22 Prisoners in Return for One Lebanese Soldier

The Islamic State [IS] is demanding the release of 22 Islamist detainees in return for each Lebanese soldier released by the jihadists in Syria, according to local media reports.

Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Mustaqbal said that the Lebanese government would meet to discuss the outcome of the country's top security chief, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, to the Syrian capital, Damascus, quoting "official sources".

The local news outlet did not offer any further details about the swap deal between the terror group and the Lebanese government.

It is estimated that both IS and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front have been holding at least 27 Lebanese soldiers and policemen in captivity since an August offensive on the northeastern Lebanese town of Arsal.

Earlier this week, Al-Mustaqbal reported that the Lebanese government had acquiesced to the Nusra Front's demand of a swap deal that would see five Islamist prisoners traded for every released Lebanese soldier.

Arsal holds tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who fled the protracted Syrian civil war. In August, three Lebanese soldiers were killed after being captured in clashes with rebels in the town.

There are fears that the Lebanese Army's treatment of the Syrian rebels may allow the terror group to gain a foothold in the Arab country.