Fatah al-Islam Inmates Go on Hunger Strike in Roumieh
Nearly 160 Fatah al-Islam inmates went on hunger strike on Wednesday at Roumieh prison, northeast of Beirut, demanding better conditions.
"The inmates, 159 of them, began their strike at around noon today and are presently confined to their cells," a high-ranking security official told Agence France Presse.
"They consider that they are not being treated well in prison and want their legal cases to be speeded up," he added. "For now we have the situation under control.
"We have dispatched paramedics to the prison."
Voice of Lebanon radio said security forces were able to contain what it called "riots" that included breaking the windows of some cells in the prison.
VDL said security forces are recently searching prisoners thoroughly, including inspecting their belongings and even their meals.
The measures were taken following a break-out attempt by Fatah al-Islam prisoners last month.