The disarmament of Lebanon’s 12 Palestinian refugee camps kicked off on Thursday, as Lebanese army vehicles rolled into Burj al-Barajneeh camp south of Beirut in the first phase of the government’s comprehensive plan to restrict the possession of arms on Lebanese territory to the state authorities.
According to Palestinian sources, quoted in local media, preparations have been completed, and the handover of medium and heavy weapons in Burj al-Barajneh camp to the Lebanese Army would start in the evening.
Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh confirmed that weapons held inside Palestinian camps have begun being handed over to the Lebanese army as a deposit.
Abu Rudeineh added in a press statement that the relevant Palestinian authorities handed over the first batch of weapons to the Burj al-Barajneh and al-Bass camps on Thursday, with the handovers to the remaining camps to be completed gradually.
He explained that this step was based on the joint statement issued by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on May 21, following official talks in Beirut. Both sides emphasized the depth of Palestinian-Lebanese relations and the need for joint coordination regarding the refugee situation.
Abu Rudeineh affirmed that both sides reiterated their commitment to the right of return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with UN Resolution 194, and their rejection of resettlement or displacement projects. He also noted the agreement to form a joint committee to monitor the situation in the camps and improve the living conditions of refugees, while respecting Lebanese sovereignty and applicable laws.
He also stressed both parties' commitment to the principle of the exclusive possession of arms by the Lebanese state throughout its territory, and the importance of maintaining security and stability within the Palestinian camps through full coordination between the relevant agencies in both countries.
"Illegal" Weapons
In this context, Palestinian National Security official Abu Arab told Al Jadeed that the weapons that will be handed over to the Lebanese army are not our weapons, but rather "illegal" weapons that entered the Burj camp 48 hours ago.
“The first phase of the process to hand over weapons held inside the Palestinian camps in Lebanon begins today, starting with the Burj al-Brajneh camp in Beirut. An initial shipment of weapons will be handed over to the authorities and placed under the custody of the Lebanese Army,” announced the President of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, Ambassador Ramez Dimachkiyeh, in a statement.
“This operation marks the beginning of a broader plan, which provides for the successive handover of additional batches of weapons in the coming weeks, in the other Palestinian camps across the country,” he added.
Daily An-Nahar reported that a senior Palestinian security official is in the Lebanese capital, where he held a meeting with leaders of several Palestinian factions at the headquarters of the Palestinian Embassy.
The Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas, has approved the disarmament of the camps in June
The process is to start in Burj al-Brajneh where an afternoon deployment of armed elements was observed, This is Beirut has learned.
The weapons, held by various Palestinian groups, including the mainstream Fatah movement, are expected to be gradually handed over, in line with a plan that would be announced by the Palestinian Authority.
According to UNRWA, about 45% of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon live in 12 official camps. Lebanon also hosts more than 40 informal gatherings of Palestinian refugees, which are not officially recognized, and where many live in often precarious conditions. The wealthier Palestinian refugees, meanwhile, reside within Lebanese cities.
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