Naharnet - Hariri Heads Meeting on Prisons in Lebanon: Prison Security Red Line that Must Not Be Crossed - April 6, 2011

A meeting between Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Caretaker Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar, Caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud, Prosecutor General Saeed Mirza, Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi, and acting gendarmerie chief Salah Jebran on the situation of prisons in Lebanon was held on Wednesday at the Center House.
The gatherers said in a statement that the prison file concerns all governments and ministries and "the violation of jail security is a red line that should not be crossed."

"Orders were given to the security forces and army to decisively take control of the situation," it added.

The Higher Relief Commission was given the task to renovate Roumieh prison.

In addition, a decision was made to install surveillance cameras in the prison, set up a cell phone jamming system, and perform stricter inspections at the prison.

The gatherers also called for the establishment of a courtroom near Roumieh prison in order to speed up the trial process.

They also demanded speeding up of the construction of prisons in southern and northern Lebanon.

The statement demanded that foreign inmates whose sentences have been complete should be deported in cooperation with the specialized sides.

Addressing the demand by inmates' families for a general pardon for the prisoners, Najjar said: "This is a very sensitive issue that requires careful study … I believe this matter cannot be tackled by a caretaker government."

"This is the responsibility of parliament and such an issue cannot be addressed given the governmental vacuum," he stressed.