Lebanon has resumed capital punishment by executing three convicted murderers despite international calls to avoid this step. The three were executed in Beirut's Roumieh prison early on Saturday - two by firing squad and one by hanging.
They were the first prisoners to face the death penalty in Lebanon since President Emile Lahoud came to power in late 1998.
The EU and human rights groups had urged the Lebanese leadership not to carry out the sentences. Under Lebanese law, a death sentence has to be approved by the president, prime minister and justice minister.
Ahmad 'Ali Mansour was executed by hanging, while Badea' Waleed Hamada and Remi Antoan Za'atar were executed by firing squad. Ahmad 'Ali Mansour was convicted of killing eight people in 2002. Badea' Waleed Hamada was convicted of killing three soldiers in 2002. Remi Antoan Za'atar was convicted of killing three people in an armed robbery.
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
