Tough security measures in Sidon, Fatah leaders unite in Ein al-Helweh
Lebanon, Local, 6/25/1999

The repeated security incidents in Sidon and its surroundings have pushed the Lebanese security forces and army to intensify their barriers there on Wednesday.

Simultaneously, a militia official in the Fatah movement which is led by the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Khaled al-Shayeb, told reporters in Lebanon that Fatah is reorganising itself militarily, and on the security and political level in Ein al-Helweh camp which is intermingled with the city.

On Tuesday night an incident took place in Sidon when two armed men exceeded a barrier for the Lebanese interior security forces, an exchange of fire took place and the two men were arrested.

The Lebanese security forces were deployed in the city on Wednesday and prevented moves on bikes of more than one person, amid strong security measures which covered the main cities, while the checkpoints installed by the Lebanese army and security forces inspected the identities.

While information that arrived to the London-based al-Hayat daily said that Fatah reorganization of itself and intensification of the presence of its elements in the camp was coincided with events and clashes that took place between its members and other members affiliated to the Ansar group, as two members of the said group robbed a bank in al-Damour district and were followed by the Lebanese security forces. One of the two men was killed and the second was wounded.

Last week, al-Shayeb told al-Hayat that reorganising Fatah came in the light of the recent events that took place, most of which were attributed to elements in the camp. Another Fatah official, Munir al-Maqdah, also told al-Hayat that the situation in the camp is "normal and calm and is almost like the situation in Switzerland."

But another Palestinian official indicated that some friction took place between Fatah and the al-Ansar group, to which Abu Muhjin, who is sentenced to death in the case of assassinating the chairman of the Islamic charity projects society three years ago, belongs.

The said Palestinian source stated that Abu Muhjin has become embarrassing to the camp, especially as most of the camps do not support his behavior.

Al-Hayat said that among the reasons behind unifying the stand inside Fatah was the exposure of its cadres to assassination attempts.

Previous Stories:
  Lahoud: Sidon crime meant to create tension in Lebanon   (6/16/1999)
  Al-Assad condoles Lahoud on victims of justice palace massacre   (6/11/1999)
  New Fatah official wounded in Lebanon   (5/22/1999)

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