Lebanon forms joint committees to address Palestinian arms in refugee camps

ISTANBUL

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said Monday that joint Lebanese-Palestinian committees have been formed to address the Palestinian weapons in refugee camps in the country.

"We have formed Lebanese-Palestinian committees, and work will begin mid-June in three Palestinian camps to address the issue of Palestinian arms," Aoun said during a meeting in Beirut with a US delegation led by Senator Angus King.

The Lebanese president, however, did not provide further details or specify the three camps.

The move follows last week’s agreement between Aoun and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to establish a joint committee overseeing Palestinian camps in Lebanon, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to Lebanon’s exclusive right to hold arms.

Ramzi Damaschkieh, head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, said on Friday that a timeline has been agreed to disarm Palestinian camps in Lebanon.

The total number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is estimated to be around 200,000, distributed among 12 camps, most of which are under the control of the Palestinian factions.