The First Meeting of the ad-hoc Committee to Follow Up on the Situation of Palestinian Camps

Following the invitation of the Chairman of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, Ambassador Ramez Dimechkie, The First Meeting of the ad-hoc Committee to Follow Up on the Situation of Palestinian Camps in Lebanon was held.

Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam started the meeting by welcoming President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to resolve the issue of Palestinian weapons in the camps, noting the positive impact of this decision on strengthening Lebanese-Palestinian relations and improving the humanitarian, social, and economic conditions of Palestinian refugees. He also reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to its national principles and instructed that practical steps be accelerated through a clear implementation mechanism with a defined timeline.

The discussion then focused on implementing the directives outlined in the joint statement issued during the meeting between Lebanese President Michel Aoun and President Mahmoud Abbas, which emphasized placing weapons solely under the authority of the Lebanese state, respecting its sovereignty, and enhancing coordination between Lebanese and Palestinian authorities to ensure the stability of the camps and their surrounding areas.

Participants agreed to launch a weapons handover process according to a specific timetable, alongside practical measures to strengthen the economic and social rights of Palestinian refugees. It was also decided to intensify joint meetings and coordination to establish the necessary arrangements for immediately implementing these directives at all levels.

The Palestinian side was represented by Mr. Yasser Abbas (Advisor to the Palestinian President), Mr. Azzam Ahmad (Secretary of the Executive Committee of the PLO), Dr. Ahmed Majdalani (Member of the PLO Executive Committee), and Mr. Wael Lafi (Legal Advisor to the Palestinian President). The Lebanese side was represented by Ambassador Ramez Dimechkie (Head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee), Major General Hassan Shaqir (Director General of General Security), Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Saba’ (Head of the Palestinian Division in General Security), Brigadier General Wajdi Damyan (Head of the National Security Branch in Military Intelligence), Colonel Joseph Al-Gharbi (Head of the Refugees and Foreigners Section in the National Security Branch), alongside the Dialogue Committee’s working team.