The National Liberal Party said Friday that releasing prisoners from Israeli jails would not be a national event as long as Lebanese detainees are held by Syria.

The NLP made the remark in a statement issued by its higher council that met under Dory Chamoun.

"What prevents Syria's allies … from launching initiatives with Syria to achieve their (detainees') release?" the NLP asked.

The statement urged President Michel Suleiman and Premier-designate Fouad Saniora to exit from the "tunnel of blocking demands" and agree on a cabinet based on the spirit of the Taif Accord.