The Lebanese authorities have released another eleven of the political prisoners who were repatriated after being handed over by Syria last week.

The total released now stands at twenty-nine of the fifty-four handed over by Damascus.

Another twenty are being questioned by Lebanese military intelligence, while the other five remain in government custody.

Those Lebanese freed today had been arrested by the Syrians on charges of spying for Israel, attacking Syrian troops deployed in Lebanon, smuggling drugs and cigarettes, and belonging to outlawed groups. Under Lebanese law, the government has to re-evaluate the cases of all repatriated prisoners.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service