Fighting escalates between Lebanese army and Fateh Al-Islam – UNRWA situation update (30 May) – UNRWA press release


May 31st, 2007

Fighting escalates between Lebanese Army and Fateh Al-Islam

Heavy clashes erupted on 29 May between the Lebanese Army and Fatah al-Islam militants after several members of the militia attacked army posts. The two sides exchanged fire for hours with the army shelling with heavy artillery in response to sniper shots and assault rifle-fire. A soldier was killed during an attack by Fatah al-Islam on an army post on 28 May, bringing to 34 the number of soldiers killed in the fighting so far.

Leaders across Lebanon continued to call for a diplomatic solution to the standoff, but efforts by Palestinian authorities and others to broker a negotiated deal have yet to bear fruit. A man suspected of ties to Fatah al-Islam was arrested at a Beirut hotel on 29 May by authorities acting on information obtained in an interrogation of a detainee from Nahr al-Bared.

Lebanese await International Tribunal

Most of the Lebanese waited 30 May for a UN Security Council Resolution creating the long-awaited International Tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes.

SITUATION BY AREA:

Situation in the North Lebanon: Situation is now quiet but cautious following heavy clashes and shelling last night in the Camp. Upon a call from Palestinian factions and Popular Committees to protest against Nahr El Bared conflict, a number of Palestine Refugees staged a sit-in in “Palestine playground” which is located to the south east of Beddawi camp. They chanted slogans, burned cardboard boxes of aid supplies and carried Palestinian flags. They attempted to march back to Nahr El Bared camp but were stopped by the Lebanese Army. The protesters dispersed after an hour.

Humanitarian situation inside Nahr El Bared continues to aggravate (shortage of food, potable water and electricity and possible problems due to lack of access to health care). Only the PRCS ambulances and the ICRC are permitted to enter Nahr El Bared despite the unstable security situation.

In Beddawi Camp, all UNRWA installations (other than schools) are operating normally. Families in the camp are hosting IDPs from Nahr el-Bared.

So far, a total of 5945 families of displaced from Nahr El Bared camp were located out of whom 5142 families in North Lebanon Area (inside and outside Beddawi).

Assistance provided by UNRWA in Beddawi camp continued today. 186 families received mattresses, pillows, covers, food parcels, hygiene kits and bottled water.

Situation in Central Lebanon: All UNRWA installations operating normally. There are now 314 displaced families from Nahr el Bared Camp in Central Lebanon Area (Beirut).

Situation in Beqaa: All UNRWA operations in Beqaa area are functioning normally. A total of 85 displaced families have arrived in the Beqaa area.

Situation in Tyre: All installations operating normally. A total of 172 displaced families from Nahr el Bared Camp arrived to Tyre area.

Situation in Saida: UNRWA services are operating normally. A total of 232 families displaced from Nahr el-Bared camp arrived in Saida.

UNRWA assistance to the IDPs in the areas outside North Lebanon includes: Mattresses, pillows, covers hygiene kits and food parcels (containing food supplies for 5 persons for a period of 30 days).


2019-03-12T19:15:34-04:00

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