Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, continued to follow up this afternoon on the Zahle Prison situation, after a number of prisoners set fire inside the prison premises which spread to the building’s upper floors. To this end, Mawlawi contacted Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, asking for support in protecting the prison’s surroundings. He also contacted Civil Defense Director General, Brigadier General Raymond Khattar, calling for reinforcement to the civil defense units that are working to extinguish the fire and evacuate prisoners from inside the rooms. Mawlawi also received a call from the Internal Security Director General, Major General Imad Othman, who kept him updated on the latest developments inside the prison. Meanwhile, the Interior Minister commissioned the Bekaa Governor, Judge Kamal Abu Jaoude, to follow up on field procedures and on-ground developments, especially in terms of evacuating prisoners and treating the injured.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon