Lebanon halts arms removal in Palestinian refugee camps
A Palestinian official in Lebanon stated the planned arms removal in Palestinian refugee camps has been postponed, citing rising Middle Eastern tensions, Arab News reported via WAFA news agency on June 17th.
The announcement came just hours before Lebanon’s government planned to start disarming Palestinian refugee camps in the capital of Beirut. This plan also covered the surrounding suburban areas.
Ramez Dimashkieh, leader of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, was the sole Lebanese official to comment. In a statement he stated that “received a call from Azzam Al-Ahmad, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, during which . . . the latest developments” were discussed.
WAFA, quoting a Lebanese official familiar with Lebanon’s Palestinian matters, declared that Palestine reaffirmed its commitment to a statement on May 21st. He stated the statement strongly supported “Lebanon’s sovereignty, the extension of state authority, and the exclusive right of the Lebanese state to bear arms.”
Fatah’s media spokesperson in Sidon, Al-Zari’i, affirmed that Palestinian factions, such as Fatah and Islamist groups, agreed to disarm and grant Lebanese authorities full control nationwide. Al-Zari’i described the delays as “reasonable given the delicate regional situation.”
According to The New Arab, several Palestinian sources cited by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed said the delay was caused by an unstable security situation. A crucial delegation led by Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) Executive Committee Secretary-General Azzam al-Ahmad, including legal and security officers, could not travel to Beirut because of the regional conflict.
On May 22nd, Israel launched several air raids over southern Lebanon. These actions increased military pressure before important local elections, according to Maghrebi and as reported by The National reported. One significant strike hit a building beside a main road in Toul, northwest Nabatieh. No casualties were reported, but the building sustained significant damage and was engulfed in flames, social media footage revealed.
On June 6th, Israel declared it will keep striking Lebanon until Hezbollah surrenders its weapons. This statement followed an assault on Beirut, Al-Monitor via AFP reported.
Addressing the incident, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz stated: “There will be no calm in Beirut, and no order or stability in Lebanon, without security for the State of Israel.”
Arab News via WAFA, The New Arab, Maghrebi, Al-Monitor via AFP, The National
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
