Hezbollah, Palestinians, and Christians All Defend Lebanese Army and Condemn Fatah al-Islam

May 22 (LPAC)--Yesterday, in the midst of heavy fighting between the Lebanese army, and guerilla fighters from the "Fatah al-Islam" group, a very well-known senior journalist in Lebanon told EIR that every effort is being made to stop the latest violence from turning into civil war. It is not known if the violence can be contained, the journalist said, but all factions: Sunni, Shi'ite, Christian, and others are committed to trying their utmost. Reports in the Lebanese press today show that these various factions are standing behind the Lebanese Army, as a national institution that exists to protect all the citizens of Lebanon.

Today, the Daily Star of Beirut reports that Hezbollah, the Shiite organization that dominates the south of Lebanon, condemned the attacks against the Lebanese Army and security forces "from whatever side they come" -- a clear reference to the Fatah al-Islam which is operating out of Palestinian refugee camps in that county. Hezbollah's statement also stressed the role of the Army in preserving internal peace in Lebanon.

Popular leader, Gen. Michel Aoun, a Christian, said that it was a black day when the Army is targeted by guests on its own territory, while it seeking to establish security and stability. Aoun also said the government had not learned lessons from the past. "In addition to the letter we sent to the UN Secretary General in which we noted the growing danger of terrorist organizations on the ground, we warned the current government many times not to let this danger to grow unchecked, but we got no response," Aoun said.

Meanwhile, leaders of the main Palestinian factions in Lebanon offered their help in fighting what they called the "terrorist" Fatah al-Islam, in a meeting with Prime Minister Siniora on Monday, the Daily Star also reported. Abbas Zaki, the PLO representative in Lebanon, said that the PLO is concerned about the Palestinian civilians in the refugee camps, and he noted that the Lebanese Army protects "not only the Lebanese but the Palestinians." He added that Palestinians should not be draw into the fighting, "because they, as much as the Lebanese, consider Fatah al-Islam a dangerous terrorist group that threatens their safety."