Following alert statements, Mikati assures situation not worrying
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After Saudi Arabia and Kuwait's statements, the head of the Lebanese caretaker government confirms that the intel at hand is not a cause for concern or panic.
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Photo shows Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, right, meeting with the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the UNIFIL, Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz of Spain, center, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP)
The head of the Lebanese caretaker government, Najib Mikati, confirmed that the intel received -- after deliberation with military and security leaders -- indicated that the country's security situation does not call for concern or panic.
He also mentioned that political and security communication to tackle the events in Ain Al-Hilweh camp has achieved progress in the course of maintaining stability.
Mikati's words came after Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Germany issued cautionary statements asking their nationals in Lebanon to take caution, while Riyadh went as far as asking its citizens not to travel to Lebanon for those planning to and to leave it for those already there.
The abovementioned warnings came although calm has been prevailing in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain Al-Hilweh after intermittent clashes broke out in some of the camp's neighborhoods, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported on Thursday.
Mikati assigned the Minister of Foreign Affairs to communicate with the relevant Arab countries to reassure them about the safety of their citizens in Lebanon. He also asked the Minister of Interior to take appropriate measures and decisions to maintain security and stability across Lebanon.
What happened in the Ain Al-Hilweh camp?
Gunfire erupted on Wednesday night after a ceasefire was reached between the Fatah movement and extremist groups in the camp. Explosive projectiles were also fired, some of which fell in several locations outside the camp in Saida, Lebanon.
One person was killed on Wednesday pushing the death toll to 12, including the Palestinian National Security Forces commander, Major General Abu Ashraf Al-Armoushi, who was assassinated on Sunday, leading to intense clashes within the camp. Reports say that over 60 people have been injured as a result of the events most of whom have been discharged after receiving treatment at medical facilities.
A leader of Fatah Munir Al-Maqadhi confirmed to Al Mayadeen that an official Lebanese-Palestinian consensus for a ceasefire has been reached after investigations into the assassination of Al-Armoushi were launched. Al-Maqadhi noted that the issue of armed presence within the camp cannot be addressed under the current tense circumstances.
The head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, called on the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, to exert his efforts to stop the ongoing clashes in Ain Al-Hilweh refugee camp in Saida and restore security.
In the message, Haniyeh pointed out that the decisions taken by the concerned Palestinian groups, especially the Joint Palestinian Action Committee, must be respected and fully implemented in coordination with the relevant Lebanese authorities. This includes refraining from resorting to military action, reaching a final ceasefire, facilitating the withdrawal of militants, and allowing the investigation committee to carry out its role in investigating the crimes that occurred, in coordination with the relevant authorities in Lebanon.
Fatah Secretary-General in Saida, Maher Shabayta, told Al Mayadeen that the movement was committed to the ceasefire in the camp.
"We were surprised by a missile attack on one of our positions, which led to the martyrdom of one and the injury of two [of our members]," stressing that Fatah members are defending their positions in the camp.
The Fatah movement is not advancing on any axis, and when such a decision is taken, it will be public, he further stressed.
On August 4, a leader in Asbat Al-Ansar, one of the warring factions in Ain Al-Hilweh camp, confirmed to Al Mayadeen that the faction is "committed to the ceasefire despite the assassination of Islamist activist Ali Mustafa in the emergency neighborhood, with sniper fire."
The source also confirmed that Asbat Al-Ansar had gotten assurances from Jund Al-Sham that it too will commit to the ceasefire.
