An Islamist disengagement force

An "Islamist disengagement force" consisting of bearded outlaws and militia members has created a buffer zone in the Ain El Helweh refugee camp between the Jund al-Sham Islamist militia and the Lebanese army. Jund al-Sham attacked the Lebanese army yesterday in response to the operation in Nahr El Bared.

An-Nahar described this as a "temporary" measure to prevent the creation of a second front against the Lebanese army. Yesterday's cabinet meeting, as reported in the post below, established the existence of a "plot" to attack the army on multiple fronts, with the Assad regime sending reinforcements and armed elements to its factions in the country. Prosecutor Said Mirza also spoke of a link between the events in Nahr El Bared and the terrorist attacks in Beirut and Aley, promising to announce the results of the investigations within days.

The various Palestinian factions in the country seem to be playing an important role in stopping a Syrian-sponsored Palestinian intifada against the Lebanese state, although one could argue that  their best action is to surrender their weapons and the territory they control. Up to six Fatah al-Islam fighters have reportedly surrendered to Abu Mazen's Fatah, and "vowed not to fight" (LBC). Twenty others surrendered to the elders of the Nahr El Bared camp. It is not clear whether they will be handed over to the Lebanese authorities.    

Meanwhile, Bahia Hariri denied allegations that she funded Islamists factions in Ain El Helweh, admitting that she only gave the money to the PLO with the aim to "protect the Lebanese army's back".  I think the Hariri family is learning the hard way that money is no substitute for the rule of law. 

Comments

[JoseyWales]

The disengagement force in a terrible idea. On the sovereignty front, it's one step forwrad, two steps backwards.

As to fucking Mirza, when was the last time an investigation of his produced anything?

[ramzi]

any better idea for what to do with 3eine el helwe presently JW? please enlighten us without refering excvlusively to what should have been done in the past please.

[JoseyWales]

Why the nastiness Ramzi?

1) I don't mention what should have been done in the past, unless it's something I had mentioned AT the time. You can check my numerous old posts on the army, Saniora, Jund el Sham etc

2) My quick answer to your Ein el-Helweh taunt, with the army outstretched is:

-Roll the Jund inside the camp (done), seal entry to the camp, ask the "regular" Palestinian forces inside to eradicate the Jund in the next month or so, lest the army come down on the Jund after they're finished up North.

-Regular Fateh won't want the army shelling and entering the camp, furthermore they seem more ANTI Jund than our own government.

-Use UNIFIL's help to secure the lines behind the army. I frankly don't know how arms get into that camp.

3) Now YOU tell me why, after a million Leb-Pali, Leb-Leb, Leb-Syrian, Leb-Arab, Arab-Pali, Leb-UN, you name it joint khara commissions since 1975, this one is going to work. Even the Palestinians don't want it.

[ramzi]

jw - fine, particularly your point 3

no nastiness intended at all anyway

just wanted to see it in pixels

thanks

[Vox P]

What is this BS? The government is outsourcing security to other Islamists militias? This must be a nightmare!! WIll we ever learn anything about militias???

[Bad Vilbel]

I must go ahead and side with JW on this one. Stop outsourcing our sovereignty to the "lesser of two evils". I don't care if if Jund is better than Fath-Al-Islam, or if Fath-Abbas is better than Jund, or if someone's sensibilities get ruffled.
Enough!

As they say here in the US: "This is my house!"

Since when do guests have a say in how I run my house? Since when do they get to pick and choose which room I can go into?

Aside from the LAF, the ISF, and UNIFIL's help (whatever that's worth), i don't want ANYONE having ANY weapons or policing ANYTHING. Period. Non-negotiable. I don't care.

[Macemuscle]

As I have said in a previous post (I just noticed that I owe someone a reply!), the government and the army have to demonstrate that these types of attacks cannot be tolerated.

Once the army finishes off the so called Fatah al-Islam, they have to move against Jund al-Sham. Either those responsible for the attack against the army "surrender themselves" to the Lebanese authorities, or the army moves in to take out Jund al-Sham.

The Lebanese authorities have to demonstrate that such actions will be dealt with swiftly and harshy. Otherwise, the challenges to the authorities will continue and it will give everyone an excuse to re-arm themselves and plunge the country into chaos!

I hope the Lebanese authorities can see through their petty disputes and recognize that there is a greater challenge to the country!

[Bad Vilbel]

Indeed. Macemuscle. Indeed.