Prisoners in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli seized two warders on Sunday as a mutiny broke out at the Qubbah jail, internal security force commander General Asharaf Rifi said.
"Around 20 inmates jailed for criminal charges broke doors and burned their mattresses before seizing two unarmed security officers who work at the prison's pharmacy," Rifi told AFP.
"The situation is under control but we are still negotiating with the prisoners, who are demanding amnesty and reduced sentences in order to end the rioting." Interior Minister Zaid Barud said talks with the prisoners "seem to be heading towards a positive ending".
"The security forces were ready to deal with the situation in a firm manner, but we sought to listen to the prisoners' demands because we are keen on protecting their rights," Barud told LBC television. "This (rioting) is not the way to express their demands. We hope that this situation will end peacefully for their sake and our sake."
An AFP reporter said additional security officers were called in to contain the rioting, and that smoke could be seen billowing from the second floor of the prison, which takes up to 600 inmates.