LEBANESE protesters have accused the army of torture, including electrocution, after being detained in weekend clashes with security services during demonstrations over the country’s deepening economic crisis.

The armed forces denied the allegations, claiming their investigations had found that no torture had taken place after the arrests in the southern port city of Sidon.

But lawyer for the seven detainees Lama al-Amin from the Committee for the Defence of Protesters told a different story after she was able to visit them at army intelligence headquarters.

“They were scared, terrified, and had been beaten. They told me about all the torture they had undergone. Two said they had been electrocuted,” she said.

Six of those detained were rushed to hospital after being released with a range of head injuries, bruises to the back and legs and swelling on the soles of their feet. Medical examinations concluded that they had been tortured.

Army intelligence said in a statement: “If they have any complaints to put forward, they have the right to do that here. Our doors are open.”

Last week Prime Minister Hasan Diab and his technocratic cabinet agreed to approach the International Monetary Fund for an emergency financial rescue package with the economy in “freefall.”