Palestinian factions, army strike deal to end tension

Palestinian factions and the Lebanese army have agreed on forming a committee to investigate the deaths of two Palestinians at the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared and cancel passes to the shantytown in an effort to end the tension between the two sides, a Palestinian official claimed. The official identified as Arkan Badr told An Nahar newspaper published Wednesday that the agreement also included the release of 11 Palestinians arrested by the army during the confrontations between the two sides on Monday. He alleged that the Lebanese army promised the factions at the camp to end its request of passes to enter the shantytown by the end of July and agreed to investigate the killings of Ahmed Qassem and Fouad Loubani. Army sources told An Nahar that the Palestinian factions in Nahr al-Bared have announced their commitment to bringing back calm to the camp and reopen the roads that were blocked by burning tires during a general strike aimed at protesting the deaths. A third Palestinian, identified as Khaled Youssef, was also killed at the southern camp of Ain el-Hilweh on Monday night during clashes with the army. According to As Safir daily, Army Intelligence official in the South Brig. Gen. Ali Shahrour held intense contacts with the Palestinian factions there to contain the incidents. Security sources told the newspaper that the clashes that included throwing stones on army checkpoints at both camps were part of a big plot that was aimed at putting the military in confrontation with the shantytowns. But the plot was thwarted due to the discipline of the soldiers and the awareness of the Palestinians, they said. Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn said Tuesday that attacking army posts is dangerous and does not serve the interests of the Palestinians. He added that targeting the military is tantamount to attacking the Lebanese people.