As the parents at the centre of a child recovery operation in Lebanon try to reach agreement on the future of their children, parties back in Australia are ramping up their efforts to secure the release from prison of Tara Brown and her 60 Minutes crew.

It’s been reported that Nine Network chief executive Hugh Marks is contemplating making a “full and frank apology” to Lebanese authorities in a bid to secure the release of the 60 Minutes team.

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A major factor in the case is the allegation that Nine funded the botched child recovery operation.

The father and children in happier times. Photo: Nine Network

Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner is in a Beirut prison after allegedly trying to kidnap her children Lahela, five, and Noah, three, who were taken to Lebanon by their father, Ali Elamine.

Journalist Brown and her crew – cameraman Benjamin Williamson, sound recordist David Ballment and producer Stephen Rice – are also being held in Beirut after they went there to cover the story.

The child retrieval incident was captured on CCTV and appears to show the children’s grandmother being manhandled as the children were snatched away.

The team made a clean getaway, but was caught not long after the fact. Soon after, the boy and girl were returned to the father and Ms Faulkner and the 60 Minutes crew were arrested.

Ms Faulkner is sharing a cell with Brown. Both women are trying to be positive about their situation and say they’ve been treated well in prison.

Along with 60 Minutes producer Mr Rice, cameraman Mr Williamson and sound recordist Mr Ballment, they’re facing charges of kidnapping, physical assault, hiding information and criminal conspiracy.

A Beirut judge said on Wednesday there was “no way the charges will be dropped”.

Nine boss ‘considering an apology’

Sally Faulkner thought she was turning to experts to retrieve her children.

The Australian reported Nine boss Mr Marks may publicly apologise for the network’s alleged involvement in the botched child-retrieval ­attempt before the crew front a judge in Beirut on Monday.

The TV network is being cautious in its handling of the situation to avoid offending the Lebanese government.

Nine has briefed families of the 60 Minutes crew daily and there is fear reporter Brown and her crew could be detained for months as complex legal issues are negotiated.

An email from Mr Marks to Nine staff said: “I know there are lots of questions about how this happened.

“Questions we will get to the bottom of when everyone gets back. My priority is to get our crew home and every decision is made through that prism, while providing whatever support we can give to those who are impacted by these events.”

Bishop in ‘constant contact’ with Beirut

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, meanwhile, has been lobbying Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil.

They have reportedly been in constant conversation and have discussed a proposed joint Australian-Lebanese committee to work through the custody issues in the case. 

Hugh Marks is reportedly considering formally apologising. Photo: Getty

“We are working very hard to secure their release but ultimately they are subject to Lebanese law,” Ms Bishop said on Saturday.

Father ‘scared’ for kids to return to Australia

On Monday, the judge must decide whether to uphold or dismiss the charges, or whether to grant bail.

The court will also explore the possibility of an agreement being reached between the two parents.

The father is reportedly scared their mother won’t give the children back if allowed to take them overseas, Ms Faulkner’s Lebanese lawyer says.

“He is not willing to allow her to take the children to Australia or elsewhere on holidays,” Ghassan Moghabghab told News Corp.

“If she takes the children to Australia who will say she will keep them and not bring them back to Lebanon?”

Mr Moghabghab said Mr Elamine currently has legal custody of the children but is willing to let Ms Faulkner see them at any time.

While Ms Faulkner is demanding access to her children, it’s alleged she is prepared to drop her custody claim if Mr Elamine drops abduction charges against her.