| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Families of Islamists Protest Near Roumieh |
| 2013-04-22 |
| [An Nahar] The families of Islamist inmates in Roumieh prison held a sit-in outside the compound east of Beirut on Sunday although the Lebanese army prevented news hounds from covering the event. Some 15 buses were seen heading to the compound, the state-run National News Agency reported. "We are holding the sit-in to ask the authorities why they violated promises to release the prisoners," Sheikh Mohammed Ibrahim told TV crews, who were stationed in the nearby town of Nahr al-Mot, after the army stopped news hounds from reaching the prison, citing "security concerns." The sit-in is peaceful, Ibrahim said as he spoke on behalf of the families. He denied alleged claims that the protesters were planning riots and urged the army to clarify why it took such measures. The inmates were locked away Please don't kill me! on charges of fighting or aiding al-Qaeda-inspired Fatah al-Islam A Syrian-incubated al-Qaeda work-alike that they think can be turned off if no longer needed to keep the Lebanon pot stirred. fighters in the Nahr al-Bared battles with the Lebanese army in 2007. The Nahr al-Bared Paleostinian refugee camp that lies near the northern coastal city of Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... was almost totally destroyed during a months-long conflict between the military and Fatah al-Islam. The fighting killed some 400 people, including 168 soldiers. Some Islamist leaders escaped despite the army siege of the camp. Several of them have also beat feet from Roumieh in daring prison breaks. The Lebanese judiciary took the first legal action against the prisoners by holding in February pretrial hearings ahead of their trial. |
| Posted by:Fred |