The operation to swap Lebanese servicemen held hostage by Syrian Al Nusra Front in August 2014 started in the town of Arsal, Lebanon, a senior security source said on Tuesday.

The Lebanese military personnel have been freed in return for the release of extremist prisoners of Al Nusra Front, Lebanese Director General of General Security Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim said.

In a related context, Lebanese high-profile security source told MENA that the Lebanese authorities received the corpse of a Lebanese soldier who had been executed in 2014 in the wake of clashes between the army and extremists in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

Sources: MENA