Updated

Scores of families, friends and supporters of some two dozen Lebanese police and soldiers held captive by militants have rallied in central Beirut, calling for their quick release.

Fighters from the Islamic State group and al-Qaida's Syrian affiliate, known as the Nusra Front, have held the men hostage since abducting them in August during a cross-border raid. The militants have already killed at least four of their captives.

The families of the abducted security forces have been staging a sit-in in downtown Beirut to try to pressure the government to move quickly to secure their release.

On Sunday, supporters turned out to voice their support for the families and efforts to bring the captives home.