Military Tribunal orders release of Amer Fakhoury
- Lebanon's Military Court acquitted former Head of Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army (SLA) Amer Fakhoury of all charges on Monday.
- Fakhoury was accused of murdering, torturing, and kidnapping Lebanese citizens in the SLA ran jail in Khiam from 1985 to 2000. His acquittal comes after pressure from the United States, considering Fakhoury holds dual Lebanese American citizenship.
- Judicial sources, however, said charges were dropped due to passage of time.
Banks to close under pretext of government's lockdown
- The Association of Lebanese Banks (ALB) announced on Monday that banks will close until March 29.
- Their decision comes after the government announced on Sunday a partial lockdown, stating that all borders and most private and public institutions will be closed for two weeks due to coronavirus. The government, however, excluded banks from the lockdown.
- Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni called on public prosecutors to take legal action against the ALB's decision.
Coronavirus cases rise to 109, two new recoveries
- The number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases were 10 on Monday and six on Sunday, with the total number of coronavirus cases now totaling 109.
- Meanwhile, the Rafic Hariri University Hospital announced two new recoveries amongst previous coronavirus patients, raising the number of fully recovered patients to three.
Prisoners' fear mounts over coronavirus outbreak
- Prisoners in Roumieh announced on Monday a hunger strike until they were granted general amnesty, citing fears over coronavirus spreading in prison. Similarly, inmates from Qobbe's prison banged their cells and chanted in unison on Sunday, out of fear over coronavirus.
- Protesters gathered outside Qobbe's prison, demanding it be sterilized properly to prevent an outbreak of the virus inside.
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