AUAD v. BULGARIA JUDGMENT
23
...
LAF commanders stressed that it has strengthened its surveillance capabilities over
the 12 Palestinian camps and four Syrian-backed Palestinian military bases within its
borders. Nevertheless, a porous border with Syria, weak internal camp security, and
LAF reluctance to enter the Palestinian refugee camps all contributed to fears of
another confrontation with an armed group, similar to the 2007 Nahr al-Barid conflict.
The most widely predicted venue for such a clash is in Lebanon’s most populous
refugee camp, Ain al-Hilweh, near the southern city of Sidon. The camp is well
known for HAMAS-Fatah violence and as a suspected safe haven for fugitive FAI
terrorists.”
D. United Nations Reports
66. In his tenth semi-annual report on the implementation of Security
Council resolution 1559 (2004), issued on 21 October 2009 (S/2009/542),
the Secretary-General of the United Nations said, inter alia, the following:
“33. While the situation in most of the 12 Palestinian refugee camps remains
relatively stable, the threat of internal violence that could potentially spill over into
surrounding areas exists in a number of camps. Indeed, some of the refugee camps, in
particular Ain el-Hilweh, continue to provide safe haven for those who seek to escape
the authority of the State. In Ain el-Hilweh camp, several incidents were registered
during the reporting period. On 16 June, two unidentified masked men opened fire at a
Fatah officer, Ahmad Abul Kol. He was shot dead, while another individual was
injured. The incident was followed by continuous shooting in different areas inside
the camp over several days. Other shooting incidents were reported over the last
months.
34. Notwithstanding these incidents, closer cooperation between Palestinian camp
authorities and Lebanese authorities improved camp security during the reporting
period. More needs to be done to contain potential tension in the camps.
35. The conditions of hardship inside Palestinian refugee camps are strengthening
radical groups and therefore living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon
should be improved, in the best interest of the wider security situation in the
country. ... ”
67. In his eleventh report on the implementation of Security Council
resolution 1701 (2006), issued on 2 November 2009 (S/2009/566), the
Secretary-General of the United Nations said, inter alia, the following:
“42. The security situation in the UNRWA-administered Palestinian refugee camps
remained relatively calm, with only minor incidents during the reporting period. This
positive development is largely due to increased cooperation and coordination
between Palestinian camp authorities and Lebanese security agencies. I remain,
however, concerned about reports of threats to the United Nations posed by militant
extremist groups present in Lebanon. Some of those elements have sought shelter in
Palestinian refugee camps, including Ain el-Hilweh camp at Saida, to which Lebanese
security agencies do not have access.”
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents