  We introduce a new class of graphical models that generalizes
Lauritzen-Wermuth-Frydenberg chain graphs by relaxing the semi-directed
acyclity constraint so that only directed cycles are forbidden. Moreover, up to
two edges are allowed between any pair of nodes. Specifically, we present
local, pairwise and global Markov properties for the new graphical models and
prove their equivalence. We also present an equivalent factorization property.
Finally, we present a causal interpretation of the new models.
