Islamist Prisoners' Families Block Tripoli Southern Entrance

Relatives of Islamist prisoners on Tuesday blocked the southern entrance of the northern city of Tripoli, declaring the start of an escalation aimed at pressing for a pre-elections general amnesty.

Al-Jadeed television said protesters blocked the road at the al-Salam roundabout on Tripoli's southern entrance.

“They said that they will continue their escalation until the signing and implementation of a general amnesty before the elections,” al-Jadeed added.

Lebanon's parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 6.

President Michel Aoun has announced that he will not sign any general amnesty that would pardon inmates involved in the killing of Lebanese Army soldiers.

Lebanese authorities have rounded up hundreds of Sunni Islamists over the last years, including some involved in bombings against civilians and deadly clashes with the army. They also include extremists believed to belong to al-Qaida-linked groups and the Islamic State group.

A lot of Islamist prisoners and their families have decried delay in judicial procedures and trials. Some prisoners are held for several years without trial or conviction.