Judicial sources told al-Mustaqbal newspaper published Saturday that the state is “preparing the files of several inmates” who will be released in exchange for the Lebanese abducted servicemen.

The daily said that 16 prisoners will be freed from Lebanese jails in one batch as the Qatari-appointed negotiator arrived in Beirut on Thursday to put the final touches on the deal.

Qatar has a direct relation with Nusra Front terrorist Group in Syria.

Nusra Front Terrorists

Concerned sources expressed optimism that the captive men would return to their families by next week.

Al-Nusra Front has in its captivity 16 soldiers and policemen, while nine remain held by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL /ISIS).

The soldiers and policemen were abducted by gunmen in the wake of clashes in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

lebanese abducted servicemen

A few of them have since been released and four were executed.

ISIS terrorist also took hostages with them when they overran Arsal but the negotiations with the group have stalled over their crippling demands.