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Lebanon weighs attack on Ein Hilwe refugee camp

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, November 29, 2001

NICOSIA Ñ Lebanon's military is waiting for a green light for an attack on the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein Hilwe.

The military operation is meant to flush out Islamic insurgents aligned with Saudi fugitive Osama Bin Laden.

Lebanese sources said about 200 troops have moved to the edge of Ein Hilwe after they underwent a series of bombing and shooting attacks from within the refugee camp. The troops were supported backed by armored personnel carriers.

At the same time, Lebanese military commanders have imposed new rules on Ein Hilwe. They include a ban on the use of firearms in the refugee camp. The rule was approved by a committee that included Palestinian leaders.

The committee included a range of Palestinian factions in Ein Hilwe. Some of its members were identified as Abed Maqdah of the Palestinian Coalition Forces, Nazem Yousef of the Palestine Liberation Organization; Sheik Jamal Khattab of the Islamic Forces, and Col. Abu Ali Tanios of the Palestinian Armed Struggle. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine were not represented.

The military is also demanding that five Palestinian and Lebanese fugitives in the camp surrender to authorities. The fugitives have been charged with bank robbery and bombings.

Another target of the military is Usbat Al Ansar, a group linked to Saudi fugitive Osama Bin Laden. Usbat Al Ansar is located away from most of the Palestinian groups at Ein Hilwe. Usbat members have lowered their profile over the last two weeks.

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