Lebanese Army Completes Disarmament of Six Palestinian Refugee Camps
The Lebanese army receives heavy weapons from PLO factions in line with a disarmament deal.
The Lebanese army has successfully completed the disarmament process of six Palestinian refugee camps, as per a recent agreement.
The handover of heavy weapons from Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) factions took place in various camps, including Shatila and Mar Elias in Beirut, and Burj Al-Barajneh in Beirut's southern suburb.
This move aligns with the Lebanese government's decision to restrict weapon possession to state authorities.In a significant development, the army received light and medium weapons, B7 rockets, and medium-range surface-to-surface missiles from camps located south of the Litani River, including Tyre, Rashidieh, Burj Al-Shemali, and Al-Bass.
The confiscated weapons were transported in eight trucks.However, Hamas and Islamic Jihad's weapons were not included in this disarmament process as these organizations do not fall under PLO authority.
Among the 12 camps, Ain Al-Hilweh is the largest, being both densely populated and home to numerous Palestinian factions.The Cairo Agreement from the late 1960s initially allowed PLO-affiliated factions in Lebanon to possess weapons.
This agreement, however, fell apart following Lebanon's civil war when President Amin Gemayel revoked it in 1987 with a law approved by Parliament.
Subsequently, the weapons of newer Palestinian organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad were deemed as possessing no legal standing.Ramez Dimashkieh, head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, stated that negotiations regarding Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other affiliated forces' weapons are ongoing.
He emphasized that while the PLO factions have agreed to disarmament through negotiations, the stance of organizations like Hamas and allied forces remains uncertain.Dimashkieh further mentioned that previous dialogue with these groups was positive but halted after Hezbollah declared its unwillingness to hand over its weapons.
Consequently, future negotiations will focus on understanding the stances of Hamas and allied forces.The next stage of disarmament is set to occur in northern Lebanese camps and Bekaa before extending to areas north of the Litani River.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency, confirmed the handover of weapons by relevant Palestinian authorities in Lebanon to the Lebanese army.This development aligns with an agreement between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese President Aoun, aimed at improving the lives of refugees while respecting Lebanese sovereignty and enforcing Lebanese laws.
Both parties reiterate their commitment to safeguarding humanitarian, social, and economic rights for Palestinians in Lebanon without compromising their right to return or undermining national identity.The disarmament process marks a transition towards new Lebanese-Palestinian relations based on partnership and cooperation for maintaining national stability and respecting Lebanese sovereignty.
Meanwhile, an Israeli drone strike targeted a car near the town of Sir El Gharbiyeh, resulting in the death of Hezbollah member Ahmed Naim Maatouk.
Additionally, two Lebanese soldiers were killed during an explosion involving an Israeli drone in Naqoura.
The handover of heavy weapons from Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) factions took place in various camps, including Shatila and Mar Elias in Beirut, and Burj Al-Barajneh in Beirut's southern suburb.
This move aligns with the Lebanese government's decision to restrict weapon possession to state authorities.In a significant development, the army received light and medium weapons, B7 rockets, and medium-range surface-to-surface missiles from camps located south of the Litani River, including Tyre, Rashidieh, Burj Al-Shemali, and Al-Bass.
The confiscated weapons were transported in eight trucks.However, Hamas and Islamic Jihad's weapons were not included in this disarmament process as these organizations do not fall under PLO authority.
Among the 12 camps, Ain Al-Hilweh is the largest, being both densely populated and home to numerous Palestinian factions.The Cairo Agreement from the late 1960s initially allowed PLO-affiliated factions in Lebanon to possess weapons.
This agreement, however, fell apart following Lebanon's civil war when President Amin Gemayel revoked it in 1987 with a law approved by Parliament.
Subsequently, the weapons of newer Palestinian organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad were deemed as possessing no legal standing.Ramez Dimashkieh, head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, stated that negotiations regarding Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other affiliated forces' weapons are ongoing.
He emphasized that while the PLO factions have agreed to disarmament through negotiations, the stance of organizations like Hamas and allied forces remains uncertain.Dimashkieh further mentioned that previous dialogue with these groups was positive but halted after Hezbollah declared its unwillingness to hand over its weapons.
Consequently, future negotiations will focus on understanding the stances of Hamas and allied forces.The next stage of disarmament is set to occur in northern Lebanese camps and Bekaa before extending to areas north of the Litani River.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency, confirmed the handover of weapons by relevant Palestinian authorities in Lebanon to the Lebanese army.This development aligns with an agreement between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese President Aoun, aimed at improving the lives of refugees while respecting Lebanese sovereignty and enforcing Lebanese laws.
Both parties reiterate their commitment to safeguarding humanitarian, social, and economic rights for Palestinians in Lebanon without compromising their right to return or undermining national identity.The disarmament process marks a transition towards new Lebanese-Palestinian relations based on partnership and cooperation for maintaining national stability and respecting Lebanese sovereignty.
Meanwhile, an Israeli drone strike targeted a car near the town of Sir El Gharbiyeh, resulting in the death of Hezbollah member Ahmed Naim Maatouk.
Additionally, two Lebanese soldiers were killed during an explosion involving an Israeli drone in Naqoura.
