Lebanese parliament pardons former warlord News
Lebanese parliament pardons former warlord

[JURIST] The Lebanese parliament [official website] voted Monday to grant amnesty to former militia leader Samir Geagea [Lebanese Forces profile]. Geagea, Lebanese Forces militia leader during the 1975-90 civil war, was arrested in 1994 and sentenced to three consecutive life terms for his involvement in crimes during Lebanon's civil war, including the murder of a prime minister. Lebanese President Emile Lahoudand [official website] and lawmakers called the vote for amnesty a symbol of "national reconciliation" following the end of Syrian domination of Lebanon. Once word of Geagea's scheduled release reached the streets, clashes between members of the Shia Amal movement and Christian Maronites erupted, leaving at least one person dead [Aljazeera report]. Geagea is expected to be released from prison this weekend. AP has more.