Ibrahim Advises Palestinians to Preserve Ain el-Hilweh after Yarmuk Clashes

General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim told Palestinian factions and officials form the Palestinian joint security force that it was important to preserve the security of the southern camp of Ain el-Hilweh, sources said.

“The security of the camp is part of the security of Lebanon and Arabs,” Ibrahim said during a meeting he held with the two sides on Wednesday, according to the Palestinian sources.

“Preserve the camp and all your problems could be resolved,” the sources quoted the General Security chief as saying in remarks published in al-Joumhouria daily on Thursday.

The meeting was held over fears that Ain el-Hilweh would be dragged into fighting after divisions emerged among Palestinian factions in Syria's Yarmuk camp.

According to the sources, Ibrahim warned that the Palestinian cause would be lost if Ain el-Hilweh was engulfed in violence.

Jihadists from the Islamic State group have lost ground to Palestinian fighters in Yarmuk after they established a "joint operations room" with government forces. But fighters from Fatah and Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine groups are not participating.

Both groups have said they want Yarmuk to remain neutral and do not want to be seen as taking a side in the conflict between Syria's government and opposition forces.

Wednesday's meeting also dealt with the case of around 50 Palestinians whose residencies have expired, the sources said.

The Palestinian officials asked Ibrahim to resolve their case and provide assistance to Ain el-Hilweh, which like the rest of Lebanon is hosing refugees who have escaped the fighting in Syria, they added.

G.K.

H.K.