Beirut, June 27: Mufti of the Republic of Lebanon Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani said that detainees arrested in the February 5 riots have been badly tortured by what he described as the ongoing security regime. "I hope that Dar al-Fatwa will not be obliged to accuse all Lebanese officials of practicing terrorism on all levels," Qabbani said following his meeting with families of the detainees.

On February 5 thousands of Muslims protested in Beirut against the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad. The protest turned into a riot that left at least one person dead and 30 wounded and resulted in the arrest of several hundred persons.

"We were informed of means of torture the detainees witnessed, which we have never heard of before: beating, electric chair and immoral behaviors," Qabbani said.

"Officials must come to Dar al-Fatwa to discuss ways of putting an end to injustice, as the security regime is still present in Lebanon."

Qabbani said that if he did not receive any response, he would call on the families of the detainees to hold a "permanent sit-in" at Dar al-Fatwa and if that did not work he would urge all Muslims to protest.

Acting Interior Minister Ahmad Fatfat denied Qabbani's charges, saying: "There isn't any detainee at the Interior Ministry from the February 5 riots and security bodies do not practice any kind of torture."