Soldiers, policemen freed by Al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front

Sixteen Lebanese soldiers and policemen kidnapped by Al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front militants were freed in a swap deal involving the release of Islamist prisoners from the Lebanese and Syrian jails, including the ex-wife of the Islamic State leader. Eight servicemen have been released after the al-Nusra executed four and the IS beheading another one, leaving 25 in captivity, 16 with al-Nusra and nine with the IS group. Lebanon's General Security announced that it had received the body of the kidnapped one, who was shot dead by Nusra militants in September 2014. Lebanese General Security Chief confirmed that all 16 captives had been released.