Posted on 06/10/2007 12:45:21 AM PDT by HAL9000
Lebanese troops have pierced into the last stronghold of Fatah al-Islam terrorists in the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared fighting Syria's allies with bayonets and daggers.At least five soldiers were "martyred" in the face-to-face confrontation Saturday while 20 terrorists were killed.
The daily an-Nahar reported ferocious confrontations in the camp to finish off the Fatah al-Islam gang, headed by Jordanian-Palestinian Shaker al-Abssi.
It quoted unnamed security sources as saying fighters from all the factions affiliated with Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime are taking part with Abssi terrorists in confronting the army at Nahr al-Bared.
An-Nahar also said security forces busted suspected terrorist hideouts in north Lebanon's Zghorta province and arrested an undisclosed number of suspects, including two Syrian men.
The region is a traditional stronghold for Suleiman Franjieh's pro-Syrian Marada Movement.
Meanwhile, Maronite Bishops have called for the formation of a national unity government based on a joint policy plan accepted by the various political factions to end the nation's ongoing power struggle.
The bishops, in a statement released Saturday, also stressed on the necessity of holding presidential elections according to constitutional schedule.
The call Saturday was welcomed by leaders of the March 14 majority alliance.
Mediation efforts to broker a peaceful end to the three-week confrontation have suffered a setback.
One of the mediators said that their mission was being complicated by the disappearance of senior commanders among the militants.
On a mission into Nahr al-Bared on Friday afternoon, they were only able to meet the militants' spokesman, Shahine Shahine, mediator Sheikh Fathi Yakan said.
"Something is going on within Fatah al-Islam ranks," the cleric said. "Their leaders are no longer visible. We were only able to meet a junior official while their top leaders like Shaker Abssi … aren't talking."
Meanwhile, France announced on Friday that it was willing to chair informal fence-mending talks between the March 14 majority alliance and the Syrian-backed Hizbullah-led opposition.
French envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran, a former ambassador to Syria, is due in Beirut on Sunday to prepare for the talks. He is to meet Premier Fouad Saniora and other officials.
“One of the mediators said that their mission was being complicated by the disappearance of senior commanders among the militants.”
Translated: The leadership is throwing in the towel and making themselves scarce before the final showdown, following the example of fireball imams who praise the virtues of suicide homicide bombers, but never seem to offer themselves or their children to play this role.
France needs to stay out of it and let the lebonese finish these scumbags off.
Al Qaeda cut-n-run in Lebanon(?) ping.
“France needs to stay out of it and let the lebonese finish these scumbags off.”
Which, given the current balance of forces in Lebanon, means a full-fledged Lebanese civil war.
Last time we had that it only made life more difficult for the West, and for Israel, not to mention pro-Western elements in Lebanon itself.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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