Lebanon frees political prisoners returned by Syria

BEIRUT, Lebanon (Reuters) -- Lebanon on Saturday freed seven political prisoners, turned over to Beirut this week after being jailed in Syria.

Prosecutor General Adnan Addoum questioned the seven and then freed them after dropping charges that included sabotaging Syrian military sites in Lebanon.

The latest releases came after Addoum on Friday freed 11 detainees who had been jailed in Syria for allegedly planning bombings and killing Syrian troops.

Those freed on Friday and Saturday were among a group of 54 prisoners handed over by Syria on Monday following a presidential amnesty. Lebanon has been questioning them before deciding their fate.

At least 10 people were being transferred to military courts as charges against them included collaborating with Israel and spying for the Jewish state.

Syria's release of the prisoners was followed by a Lebanese declaration that Damascus was not responsible for the fate of hundreds of Lebanese who disappeared during its 1975-1990 civil war. Beirut said feuding factions were to blame.

Syria is the main power-broker in Lebanon and has some 35,000 troops stationed there.

Opponents of the Syrian presence have campaigned in earnest for a withdrawal since Israel ended its 22-year occupation of south Lebanon in May.

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