The Joint Palestinian Security Forces in the Ain el-Helweh camp were assigned the task of implementing the terms of the cease-fire agreement reached last month to end the fighting, notably the arrest of the suspects in the assassination of Fatah military official, Abu Ashraf al-Armoushi.
The decision was taken on Tuesday at a meeting held at the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Lebanon between “Palestinian factions and national and Islamic forces,” according to a statement issued after the meeting.
“The decision by all the factions and national groups in Ain el-Helweh is aimed at preserving security and stability in the camp and the neighboring brotherly Lebanese area,” the statement said.
It pointed out that the decision to arrest the suspects by force was taken “after the deadline for handing them over had passed and after all communication and engagement to surrender the suspects had been exhausted.”
It is feared that the decision to uproot the takfiri suspects might lead to a resurgence of violence in the largest and most popuated of Lebanon’s 12 Palestinian refugee camps, holding more than 50,000 inhabitants.
At least nine members of Islamic takfiri groups are suspected of involvement in the assassination of al-Armoushi and four of his companions at the end of July. The incident enflamed the camp, pitting Islamic militants against Fatah-led Palestinian factions. At least 11 people were killed, tens wounded, and hundreds displaced during several days of fighting.
