The families of the soldiers and policemen taken captive by militants in the northeastern border town of Arsal blocked on Wednesday several roads to pressure the authorities on meeting the demands of the abductors. The Dahr al-Baidar road that links Beirut and Mount Lebanon with the eastern Bekaa valley was blocked at the Falougha junction. The protesters also erected a tent there.

They later blocked the Tarshish-Zahle and Maaser al-Shouf roads, which are vital arteries, isolating the Bekaa from the rest of the regions. The protesters pledged not to open the roads unless Prime Minister Tammam Salam, who is currently in New York, confirms that the captives will be released. The soldiers and policemen were kidnapped when jihadists from the al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group overran Arsal last month. They killed three of them and vowed to execute more captives if the authorities failed to meet their demands, which are so far unclear. [Link]