Qatar ends mediation in Lebanon's hostage crisis

The Qatari Foreign Ministry announced the State of Qatar's inability to pursue the mediation efforts for the release of Lebanese military elements kidnapped last August in the vicinity of the town of Arsal, as announced by QNA on Monday. 
The Ministry said in a statement that "mediation efforts came on humanitarian grounds, out of keenness by the State of Qatar to maintain the lives of innocent people, after a request by the brothers in Lebanon for Qatari mediation." 
The statement confirmed that "the decision not to continue came as a result of the failure of efforts." 
Qatar expressed "deep regret for the killing of the Lebanese soldier," reiterating "the keenness of the State of Qatar on all diplomatic efforts in order to save lives."