Date:24/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/24/stories/2007052402881600.htm

International

Thousands flee refugee camp

Atul Aneja

Lull in fighting between militants and Lebanese troops

DUBAI: Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing the embattled refugee camp in northern Lebanon following a lull in fighting between Islamist militants and Lebanese troops.

Around 15,000 residents have already left the Nahr Al-Bared camp, which has a population of 30,000. Their movement was possible because a truce which was to be implemented earlier on Tuesday had taken effect by nightfall.

The Fatah Al-Islam group that appears to have Al-Qaeda characteristics is entrenched inside the camp. Led by Shaker Al-Absi, the group has several foreign fighters from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and other Arab countries in its ranks. The mainstream Palestine Liberation Organisation and Fatah strongly oppose the militants. Analysts point out that there is speculation that a 300 strong Fatah battalion may now enter Nahr Al-Bared and clash with the Fatah Al-Islam militants there. Under a 38-year-old Arab accord, the Lebanese army is prohibited from entering Palestinian camps. Apprehending a possible showdown, the local committee of Nahr Al-Bared, led by civilians, has warned that entry of the Fatah battalion would result in the "massacre" of civilians.

Most of the residents fleeing Nahr Al-Bared in packed cars are moving into the nearby Beddawi refugee camp.

No medical help

Aid workers entering Nahr Al-Bared are reporting a humanitarian crisis inside. Nearly 20 bodies have been already removed from the camp, taking the death toll from last four days of fighting to 70.

There is hardly any medical help available inside the camp. Many building have been bombed out, and people have been living in the open without food, water and electricity. A U.N. convoy with humanitarian supplies that had moved into the camp on Tuesday afternoon was fired upon, forcing it to retreat.

The Fatah Al-Islam is finding little support inside Lebanon.

The powerful Lebanese Shia grouping, Hizbollah, has issued a statement opposing the militants. Many Lebanese politicians are pinning the blame for the fighting on Syria, a charge which Damascus strongly denies.