Two members of Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) abducted in the border town of Arsal were released by a delegation of the Islamist "Muslim Scholars Committee," the Lebanese Army Intelligence office said Sunday.
The office said that the Islamist gunmen handed over the freed ISF members to the army intelligence, which in turn handed them over to the ISF intelligence branch in the Beqaa's town of Ablah.
Following the clashes that broke out on August 2 between the army and the Islamist militants in light of the arrest of a prominent al-Qaida-affiliated "al-Nusra Front" member Imad Jomaa, a number of troops and security forces members were abducted by the gunmen when they withdrew from Arsal.
At least 16 soldiers were killed and more than 86 others wounded in the unrest that ended in a ceasefire on August 7.
On Thursday, the military prosecutor charged Jomaa and 42 Syrians with belonging to armed terrorist groups, carrying out terrorist attacks, seizing control of Lebanese territories in order to set up their own emirate, killing soldiers and civilians, sabotaging military vehicles, and damaging public and private property. They may face death penalty if convicted.