Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya said the Palestinian refugees' right of return is "sacred" and described remarks being made by international parties about projects for their resettlement as "mere fantasy." The assertion was made by a party official in South Lebanon during a meeting organized by the group in Sidon, attended by various Palestinian factions and forces including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Hamas and Islamic Jihad. During the meeting, officials discussed several key issues affecting the Palestinian community in Lebanon and reiterated their commitment to achieving the best possible relations with the Lebanese.The party member of the Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya rejected the close relations between MPs Bahia Hariri, the Future Movement and MP Osama Saad and the Popular Nasserite Organization, insisting this new alliance has been "at the expense of the Jamaa." The Islamic group expressed resentment at its political ally MP Bahia Hariri, saying it feels its position as the third force in Sidon has been sidelined and their role in the Palsstinian issue and ongoing preparations to hold a national Lebanese-Palestinian meeting is being neglected. Moreover, the group expressed dissatisfaction at not being invited to attend a meeting of Sidon MPs and active political factions at the Hariri residence at a time it considers itself to be more concerned than others. According to sources, MP Hariri telephoned members of the leadership of the Islamic group and set a date for the meeting to express her position and explain her political coalition. But following recent death threats made against her and subsequent security warnings, the meeting was canceled and rescheduled for Sunday.
Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya member Bassam Hammoud said the idea of the national Lebanese-Palestinian meeting was initiated by the Lebanese-Palestinian Follow-Up Committee that was formed during a period of unrest in the camps in July of this year and which played an active role in restoring calm to Mieh Mieh and Ain al-Hilweh camps.