Islamist Chief Says 'Security Eased' in Ain Hilweh By Departure of Extremists

In light of reports that two prominent suspects taking refuge in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh in Sidon have left the camp and headed to Syria, Jihadi Islamist Movement's chief Sheikh Jamal Khattab affirmed the reports on Tuesday saying “it eases the security burden in the camp.”

In remarks he made to al-Mustaqbal daily, Khattab said he obtained information confirming that the suspects identified as Haitham al-Shaabi, Palestinian, and Mohammed al-Arafi, Lebanese, have “likely” fled to Syria.

There is no definite information on whether other extremists have followed the same steps he said in reference to the extremist group of Bilal Badr.

Khattab pointed out saying that some people view the departure of extremists as positive while others see it the contrary, “but in overall it reduces the security burden on the camp.”

Ain el-Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in the country, is home to about 50,000 refugees and is known to harbor extremists and fugitives.

By long-standing convention, the Lebanese army does not enter the country's 12 refugee camps, leaving security inside to the Palestinians themselves.