PFLP-GC Will not Disarm

Wednesday, October 05, 2005
PFLP-GC says 'no' for disarmament issue
Palestinian President tells jumblatt he is keen on Lebanon's unity

By Maher Zeineddine
Daily Star correspondent



BEIRUT: The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), led by Ahmad Jibril, said it would not disarm as demanded by a UN Security Council resolution, and accused Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora of exerting pressure in that direction. Jibril had complained the Lebanese Army was imposing a blockade on its bases close to the Syrian border.

UN Security Council Resolution 1559 demands the disarmament of the Hizbullah, as well as the 12 Palestinian groups present within both refugee camps and, as in the case of the PFLP-GC, outside.

"We hand Fouad Siniora the direct responsibility for the hostile measures against our Palestinian people taken under the cover of a political and media campaign of disinformation."

"The attempt to sacrifice the weapons of the Palestinians of Lebanon in line with (UN) Resolution 1559 will not be greeted by silence or compromise," it warned.

The PFLP-GC has maintained the bases for 30 years, and its stockpiles of arms were reinforced during and after the withdrawal of Syrian troops in April.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to Chouf MP Walid Jumblatt pledging the PA's commitment to preserving the unity of the Lebanese people and harmony among the different Palestinian factions in Lebanon.

Jumblatt met with a Palestinian delegation visiting on the invitation of the Follow-up Committee for the Support of the Lebanese Detainees in Israeli Prisons.

Headed by Ziad Abu Ain, the acting Palestinian minister responsible for Palestinian detainees and former detainees, the delegation delivered the letter to Jumblatt from Abbas.

Addressing the delegation, Jumblatt warned of foreign schemes aimed at disrupting the unity of the Palestinians and stirring strife among the factions.

Abu Ain said the meeting with Jumblatt focused on the living conditions of the country's Palestinian refugees, and ways to improve them.

He explained the visit to Lebanon falls within the framework of an international campaign to support the Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

"The issue of the Palestinian detainees is very delicate as the Israeli authorities still reject their rights and disregard the agreements that have been established regarding that issue," he said.

He said the delegation has already visited several European and Arab countries to ask for their support, adding: "The Palestinian detainees should not be treated as hostages of the Israeli government."

In recent weeks, the Lebanese and Arab media, as well as several Lebanese officials, have circulated information suggesting the smuggling of arms from Syria to Palestinian bases.

Security sources reported smuggling operations have increased recently, due to a lack of adequate control by both concerned states. In a statement issued Sunday, the Fatah Command in Lebanon rejected the allegations, insisting it had not carried out smuggling operations since 1993.

Meanwhile, Fatah commander in Lebanon Brigadier Sultan Abu al-Aynayn said he rejected the use of the Palestinians as a tool for launching accusations against Syria.

In a statement, Abu al-Aynayn said he was disappointed by some parties' "insistence to involve the Palestinians in their internal political bickering."

Abu al-Aynayn noted those "who are illegally entering the country were of different nationalities and seek to work in Lebanon."

Abu al-Aynayn added: "Those who are accusing us of smuggling weapons and armaments into the camps should provide proof."

He further said the Palestinians' arms and soldiers only existed to serve the Palestinian cause, adding: "Don't launch political missiles against Syria over the heads of the Palestinians."