Lebanese hostage executed by Al-Qaeda linked group in Syria

A Lebanese policeman has been executed in Syria after the Lebanese government failed to meet the demands of his captives.

Last night, the Al-Qaeda affiliated terror group Jabhat al-Nusra, released a statement, announcing that al-Bazzal had been executed. The Syria based group stated that his death was revenge for the arrest of women and children, reportedly family members of the militant group.

The Syria-based group stated that his death was revenge for the arrest of women and children, reportedly family members of the militant group.

The statement read: "Executing prisoners of war in our custody [Ali Bazzal] is our response to the filthy Lebanese Army detaining our wives and kids."

Jabhat al-Nusra have also threatened to kill another hostage: "If our sisters are not released we will execute another soldier in our custody in the very near future."

Ali al-Bazzal had been held by the Al-Qaeda affiliated group Jabhat al-Nusra in the Qalamoun mountains in western Syria. He is one of more than 20 Lebanese security personnel who were taken hostage after the terror group briefly invaded the Lebanese town of Arsal in August.

Ali al-Bazzal had previously been seen in a video, kneeling in the snow with a Jabhat al-Nusra figher holding a large sword to his neck.

Ali al-Bazzal's family have called on the Lebanese government to execute two imprisoned members of the militant group, Amed al-Atrash and Joumana Hmeid.

Amed al-Atrash, 24, was imprisoned under charges of trying to transport suicide bombers and explosive equipment in Lebanon in February 2014. He was also found guilty of attacking Lebanese Armed forces in Majdelyoun and Sidon in December as well as firing rockets at Israel.

Joumana Hmeid was jailed for trying to transport cars concealed with explosive devices. She was arrested on the Arsal-Labweh road in February 2014.

The family have also demanded that the Lebanese government arrest a cleric in Arsal. Mustafa Hujeiri, also known as Abu Taqiyeh, is accused of supporting the Al-Qaeda backed group from the border town.