Beirut: Scores of inmates rioted in Lebanon's largest prison, taking some guards hostage and setting their own clothing on fire to demand better conditions and shorter sentences, security officials said.

Hours after the riots began at Roumieh prison east of the capital Beirut, detainees were still in control of one building as security forces surrounded it, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. They said about eight guards were being held hostage.

More than 3,000 men are held at Roumieh, including four former generals held in connection with the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and members of the al-Qaida-inspired Fatah Islam militant group. The officials said neither the generals nor Fatah Islam members were near the area of the rioting.

Police Brig Gen Antoine Chakour negotiated with representatives of the detainees who demanded that prison conditions be improved and their jail sentences be reduced. The prison was built 40 years ago to hold 1,000 inmates but more than 3,000 are currently held there.

After several hours of negotiations, an agreement was reached between the two sides in which the prisoners will hand over the hostages and return to their cells, the officials said. In return, Lebanese authorities would seriously study the demands of the detainees, they said.

The officials said the eight guards were taken hostage as they distributed food to the prisoners. They added that the handover could take place as early as midnight.
Source : PTI