Some 200 people from the families of jailed Islamist militants staged a protest in front of the military tribunal in Beirut demanding the release of scores of prisoners suspected of plotting or carrying out militant attacks.

here are about 330 suspects held in Roumieh prison east of Beirut on terrorism-related charges, including members of al-Qaida inspired Fatah al-Islam group which fought the Lebanese army for almost four months at the northern Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared last year.

Some of Monday's protestors carried banners reading "Enough Oppression." Others held posters saying "Enough Injustice."

"We want full amnesty to over 300 Islamist detainees before the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan," said a statement issued by the protesters.

It also said that their sons had been arrested "illegally" after they were taken from their homes to Roumieh prison which they called "the prison of injustice and darkness."