Lebanese Pres.: Weapon handover at Palestinian camps in Beirut begins mid-June

BEIRUT, May 26 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced on Monday that the handover of weapons will begin mid next month at three Palestinian camps in Beirut.
This came during a meeting between President Aoun and a US congressional delegation at the Presidential Palace in Beirut, said the Lebanese presidency in a statement.
The statement quoted President Aoun as saying during the meeting that the talks he held with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last week resulted in an agreement to apply the exclusivity of weapons to the Lebanese State in Palestinian camps, and that joint committees were formed to implement the agreement.
He pointed that the Palestinian President provided support to Lebanon and its army, and that they will be following up on the agreement's implementation, noting that three Palestinian camps have been dismantled in the north, mountain and south.
Aoun informed the US delegation of the Israeli occupation's failure to fulfill its commitment in the cessation of hostilities agreement that took effect November 27, which includes continuing hostilities against Lebanon, occupying the five hills, and not returning Lebanese prisoners.
He stressed that the occupation continues its aggression despite the multiple reviews conducted by Lebanon, especially with the sponsors of the agreement the United States and France, stressing that what Lebanon is demanding is a complete withdrawal of the Israeli so that the Lebanese army can deploy to the southern border and protect it.
Regarding relations between Lebanon and Syria, Aoun explained that communication is ongoing between the governments to address outstanding issues between them, especially the security situation on the border.
He welcomed the US decision to lift sanctions on Syria, considering it a good decision that would improve the economy in Syria, which will increase the possibility of the return of displaced Syrians from Lebanon to their country. (end) The first meeting of the Lebanese-Palestinian joint committee to follow up on the situation of Palestinian camps in Lebanon was held last week during Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' visit to Beirut, headed by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
During the meeting, an agreement was reached to launch a process for handing over weapons according to a timetable accompanied by practical steps to enhance the economic and social rights of Palestinian refugees. (end) ayb.seo