At the invitation of Ambassador Ramez Dimashqieh, head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, the first meeting of the joint committee tasked with monitoring the situation in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon was held.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam opened the meeting by welcoming President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to resolve the issue of Palestinian weapons in the camps. He highlighted the positive impact this step could have on strengthening Lebanese-Palestinian relations and improving the humanitarian and socio-economic conditions of Palestinian refugees.
Prime Minister Salam reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to its national principles and directed the relevant authorities to accelerate practical measures by establishing a clear implementation mechanism with a defined timeline.
The discussion then focused on how to implement the directives outlined in the joint communiqué following the meeting between Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun and President Mahmoud Abbas. The communiqué emphasized the importance of confining weapons to the Lebanese state’s authority, respecting its sovereignty, and enhancing coordination between Lebanese and Palestinian authorities to ensure stability within and around the camps.
The participants agreed to initiate a weapons handover process according to a set timeline, alongside practical steps to improve the economic and social rights of Palestinian refugees. They also decided to intensify joint meetings and communication to establish the necessary arrangements and promptly begin implementing these directives at all levels.
According to LBCI, the withdrawal of Palestinian weapons will begin in the three Beirut camps: Burj al-Barajneh, Shatila and Mar Elias.
The Palestinian delegation included Mr. Yasser Abbas (advisor to the Palestinian president), Mr. Azzam Ahmad (Secretary of the Executive Committee of the PLO), Dr. Ahmad Majdalani (member of the PLO Executive Committee), and Mr. Wael Lafi (legal advisor to the Palestinian president).
The Lebanese delegation included Ambassador Ramez Dimashqieh (head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee), Major General Hassan Shoucair (Director General of General Security), Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Sabe’ (Head of the Palestinian Division in General Security), Brigadier General Wadih Damian (Head of the National Security Branch in Military Intelligence), Colonel Joseph Al-Gharbi (Head of the Refugees and Foreigners Section in the National Security Branch), along with the Dialogue Committee’s working team.
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