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Sporadic explosions and gunfire continue at Nahr al-Bared
There have been explosions and gunfire at a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, one day after troops captured it from Islamist militants. Lebanese soldiers were seen rushing into Nahr al-Bared to hunt down a number of Fatah al-Islam fighters who survived the offensive on Sunday. Earlier, troops combed the camp's heavily bombed buildings looking for booby traps and unexploded munitions.More than 300 people died during the 105-day siege, more than half of the losses were soldiers. The Lebanese army said on Monday it lost 163 soldiers in the battles of Nahr al-Bared. 400 to 500 soldiers were injured in the fighting, many of them were permanently disabled. Intense fighting The hour of intense fighting erupted near the eastern edge of Nahr al-Bared on Monday as army units patrolled through the camp in search for remnants of Fatah al-Islam. The BBC's Mike Sergeant, outside the camp, says he heard more than a dozen powerful explosions and several bursts of gunfire. However, the Lebanese army now appears to have re-established its control. Local LBC TV reported later that two soldiers were injured in the clashes, which it said started after several gunmen opened fire on troops and threw a hand grenade. The army responded with gun and artillery fire, LBC added. The blasts came as local residents celebrated the end of the three-month siege on close to the camp and in nearby Tripoli. Helicopters flew overhead as drivers hooted their horns and young men danced in the road. Thousands of refugees are demanding an early return to the camp, but from the edge of the camp our correspondent says the devastation inside is clearly visible. Almost every building has been badly damaged, many have been completely destroyed. Clouds of black smoke continue to rise from the rubble. 'State control' At least 39 militants and three soldiers were killed, the army said, after militants attempted to break out of the besieged camp at dawn on Sunday. Another 20 militants were said to have been captured. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora made a televised speech to the country saying the capture of the camp was "an hour of pride, victory and joy". Mr Siniora said the Lebanese government would rebuild Nahr al-Bared but added that the camp would be placed under the authority of "only the Lebanese state". Historically, UN-administered Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon have been self-governing and beyond the control the state.
Posted by: Fred 2007-09-05 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=198034 |