Islamists protest near Lebanon's parliament

Beirut: Relatives of alleged Islamic Sunni extremists in Lebanon staged a protest in Beirut to demand the release of their kin.

During Tuesday's rally, at least 200 protesters shouted Islamic slogans and waved black flags and banners outside Parliament, which was in session.

One banner read that with parliament elections due next year, "sons of the Sunni faith" are behind prison bars.

The protesters included the wives of some of the prisoners suspected of plotting or carrying out militant attacks. The women have been rallying for their husbands' release for weeks.

Lebanon holds in custody about 300 suspects on terrorism-related charges, including members of Al Qaida-inspired Fatah Islam group.