Beirut (AsiaNews) – The Lebanese army announced today that it took control of the Fatah al-Islam’s headquarters at the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp. The news come on the same day that various sources quote an alleged Fatah al-Islam leader accusing Syria and the head of Syria’s intelligence apparatus, Major General Assef Shawkat (who is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s brother-in-law) for their alleged links to the terrorist group. Their support is said to be part of a plan to undermine Lebanon’s fragile democracy.
Former Syrian Vice-President Abdel Halim Khaddam also talked about links between Fatah al-Islam and Syria’s secret services. Mr Khaddam, who now lives in exile, said that the group was created by the Syrian military services.
In a statement the former vice-president said that there are proofs of Syrian involvement in exacerbating Lebanon’s tensions. In a press conference, he wondered “where Fatah al-Islam got all its explosives and weapons, some of which are not even available to the Lebanese army.” The answer is the Syrian regime.
Khaddam also pointed out threats made by Syrian President Assad and other Syrian leaders who said that Lebanon would blow up if an international tribunal was set up to sit in judgment of those responsible for the assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
In fact the UN probe into the attack had already suggested a possible involvement by Asef Shawkat. This possibility explains why the Syrian regime’s opposition to the tribunal is so strong.
