BEIRUT, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese army on Friday received four Lebanese detainees from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), following their release by Israel.
The four detainees are currently at the Benoua Barakat barracks in Tyre, southern Lebanon, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The ICRC said in a Friday statement that it had transferred four additional people released by Israel to Lebanon, following the release of a civilian the previous day.
"At the request of the parties concerned, the ICRC facilitated the transfer of five people released to Lebanon," the organization said, adding that "one person was transferred on Thursday and four others on Friday."
On Thursday, the Lebanese army received detainee Malik Ghazi through the ICRC after Israeli authorities handed him over at the Naqoura crossing in southern Lebanon.
The releases come amid U.S.-led mediation between the Lebanese and Israeli governments.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut said Thursday that the mediation had resulted in initial steps, including Israel's release of detainees and assistance to Lebanon in recovering missing remains, following direct bilateral talks hosted by Rome in August.
The number of Lebanese detainees and prisoners held by Israel stood at 36, according to a list issued by the Lebanese Association of Prisoners and Released Detainees on Aug. 26. ■
