(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The Lebanese Army confirmed that it has received the body of one of its soldiers who was beheaded by ISIS militants last week. He was among 11 troops reported missing, believed to be held hostage by the militant group.
An Army statement said, “Around 16:00 today, the Army Intelligence was handed over the body of one of the missing soldiers which will be transported to the central military hospital where DNA tests will be conducted for identification.”
The body of Sergeant Al al-Sayyed was handed to the Lebanese Red Cross at the entrance of Arsal on Monday, days after militants said they slaughtered him.
Sources say his body was delivered by the Islamic Medical Association (IMA), a local health organization that has medical centers in Arsal, Tripoli, and Akkar.
They said an IMA vehicle first brought the body from the outskirts of Arsal to the entrance of the town where he was transferred to a Lebanese Red Cross ambulance.
The committee member said the areas controlled by ISIS in the outskirts of Arsal were closer and easier to access for the handover of the body than locations under the control of the Nusra Front.
Ghali confirmed that there were direct contacts with ISIS militants but did not disclose any information concerning the identity of the mediator.