BEIRUT: Military Judge Imad Zein requested the death penalty for two individuals, one with links to Al-Qaeda, over the murder of two Lebanese Army soldiers during a standoff in Beirut in May.

The indictments were issued for Hani ash-Shanti, who holds a Lebanese passport, and Gharam Hussein, a Syrian national.

Shanti is part of a 13-member group affiliated with Al-Qaeda who have been linked to the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The May 24 standoff was sparked after two gunmen at an apartment in Caracas, Beirut, began firing at policemen who had been dispatched to the area following the sound of gunfire.

Shanti was charged with murder and attempted murder of soldiers as well as carrying out terrorist acts, assaulting policemen and possession of arms.

Hussein was indicted for involvement in the murders and attempted murder.

Zein issued arrest warrants against the two and referred their case to the permanent military court for trial.