Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati has criticized the Palestinian arms in the country saying: "The Palestinian weapons in Lebanon have no justification because they don't deter the Israeli enemy from launching any attacks." With preparations under way for a second round of talks between the Lebanese and Palestinian authorities on the arms issue, attention in the Palestinian street is focused on how to reach a unified position. Mikati was speaking following a meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani on Tuesday. The former premier reiterated his position saying the only weapons to be in the country are those of the "Lebanese state and legal forces on Lebanese territories." However, Mikati called on the government to tackle the living conditions of the Palestinian camps. Palestinian circles have revealed the differing positions of the various Palestinian factions on the issue, with the Palestine Liberation Organization agreeing with the Palestinian Authority's desire to exchange the disarmament of the refugee camps for greater civil, political and diplomatic rights.
Meanwhile, the pro-Syrian alliance of Palestinian forces believes it is not yet time to raise the question of disarmament, insisting there is no difference between arms inside and outside the camps as long as the identity is one, the goal is one and the justification of bearing arms is defense against Israeli aggression. As planned, the alliance of Palestinian forces drafted a list of demands to a joint committee which was created Saturday following a meeting between Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the two Palestinian delegations.
Published by the Central News Agency yesterday, the list included an introduction highlighting the importance of redefining relations between Palestinian refugees and the Lebanese government in a way that serves the interests and rights of both parties. The list voiced the alliance's calls on the Lebanese government to grant Palestinians the rights to work in all fields, acquire properties, participate in political and civil life; press the UNRWA to upgrade refugee camps and services; organize security measures in the premises of the camps; and adopt legal measures to settle the status of Palestinians in Lebanon.
