Three Wounded in Clashes between Georges Abdallah Supporters, Security Forces

Three people were wounded on Wednesday in clashes between security forces and protesters demanding the release of leftist militant Georges Abdallah in front of the French Ambassador Patrice Paoli's residence, al-Mayadeen television reported.

The National News Agency explained: “Clashes broke out when protesters tried to breakthrough the security fence and approach the ambassador's house amid the security forces' resistance.”

The International Campaign to Free Georges Abdallah released a statement later on Wednesday condemning the security forces' “brutal assault”, calling on Interior Minister Marwan Charbel to “penalize the perpetrators”.

"Security forces are still pursuing a repressive mentality that contradicts with basic human rights,” the statement said.

"This will not, however, deter us from continuing with our peaceful protests until Abdallah's release and we will announce on Thursday future steps to be undertaken”.

Wednesday's protest comes after a French court has postponed the decision to release Abdallah to April 4.

The campaign had organized several protests outside the France's embassy and several French cultural centers throughout Lebanon to press for Abdallah's release.

The militant was jailed for life in 1987 after being convicted in the 1982 murders of military attache Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov.

However, a French court last year granted parole for the former head of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Faction (LARF), provided he was deported back to his home country. The court then postponed a final decision, drawing ire from Lebanon.

Abdallah has been eligible for parole since 1999, but seven previous applications were all rejected.