The government of outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati Wednesday set up a committee to settle the issue of Lebanese prisoners in Syria.

Although Damascus denies it holds any Lebanese political prisoners, Lebanese civilian organizations insist that dozens of prisoners are detained in Syria.

The committee is to gather information about possible Lebanese prisoners in Syria and other Arab countries. It will also establish contacts with the judicial and security authorities in Syria to locate the prisoners and verify the charges filed against them or the sentences they face.

The committee will seek as well to secure the release of the prisoners and to have them handed over to the Lebanese authorities to try them according to Lebanese laws.

The committee was given three months, a term that could be renewed, to complete mission and submit a report to the minister of justice. (UPI)