Media reports in Lebanon confirmed secret talks between the Lebanese authorities and the Qatari authorities on releasing the imprisoned terrorist Ahmed al-Assir and his group of about 90 detainees and sending them to Qatar where they will reside.

The Lebanese daily Al-Diyar reported that Qatar had given Lebanon $25 million in financial aid to set up an alternative prison for Roumieh prison, in view of Lebanon's need for a large, modern and new prison in exchange for the release of the captive terrorist and his group and their travel to Qatar, where it will build a mosque for Ahmed al-Assir and some buildings where his group will reside.