Abbas to Discuss Palestinian Arms Handover During Lebanon Visit
Beirut, May 3 – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to visit Lebanon on May 21, where he will discuss the handover of Palestinian weapons in refugee camps to Lebanese authorities.
The visit comes as Lebanon seeks to monopolize all weapons outside state control, aiming to disarm Palestinian factions that have long maintained security within the camps. Abbas, in his capacity as President of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), is expected to lead discussions on a gradual and peaceful transition of arms management.
Reports indicate that the Lebanese army has already begun preparations to disarm the Beddawi camp in northern Lebanon, restricting access to the area. Palestinian sources suggest that Abbas’s stance aligns with his long-held belief that “weapons in the camps will not liberate Palestine”.
Lebanon has hosted hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees since the Nakba of 1948, with security in the camps traditionally overseen by various Palestinian factions, including Fatah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. However, some camps have witnessed armed clashes and extremist activity, prompting Lebanese authorities to push for tighter control.
The upcoming discussions between Abbas and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun are expected to shape the future of Palestinian security arrangements in Lebanon, with both sides aiming to avoid instability while ensuring the safety of refugees.
