Conflict Incident Report

BEIRUT: Families of detained Islamists in the northern city of Tripoli Monday staged a brief protest outside Tripoli’s Grand Serail to demand a general amnesty for all prisoners.

Security forces deployed in Abdel Hamid Karami Square as protesters blocked the road to press their demands, the National News Agency reported.

The group marched from the square before stopping by the Tripoli Grand Serial to block traffic.

The families called on Prime Minister Saad Hariri to take action to grant the prisoners a general amnesty.

A general amnesty request must be put forward by the interior and justice ministers, and would also require approval by President Michel Aoun, who has the authority to accept or reject the proposal.

In February, the families gathered in Tripoli outside Labor Minister Mohammad Kabbara’s office, calling for the detainees to be released.

Similar protests have taken place in south and east Lebanon.

Protests are routinely held by the families of Islamist inmates throughout Lebanon.

A number of prisoners have been held without a trial.