NNA - The first meeting of the joint committee to follow up on the situation of Palestinian camps in Lebanon was held on Friday at the Grand Serail, at the invitation of the head of Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, Ambassador Ramez Dimashkieh, and in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam.
Premier Salam began the meeting by welcoming President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to resolve the issue of Palestinian weapons in the camps, highlighting "the positive impact of this decision in strengthening the Lebanese-Palestinian relations and improving the humanitarian and socio-economic conditions of Palestinian refugees."
The Prime Minister also affirmed "Lebanon's commitment to its national constants," and gave his directives "to expedite practical steps through establishing a clear implementation mechanism according to a specific timetable."
A statement issued by the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee stated that the discussion touched on "ways to implement the directives contained in the joint statement issued by the meeting between Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which affirmed the restriction of arms to the Lebanese state and respect for its sovereignty, in addition to strengthening coordination between the Lebanese and Palestinian authorities to ensure the stability of the camps and their surroundings."
The attendees agreed to launch a process for arms handover according to a specific timetable, accompanied by practical steps to enhance the economic and social rights of Palestinian refugees.
It was also decided to intensify joint meetings and communication to put in place the necessary arrangements to immediately begin implementing these directives at all levels.
The Palestinian side was represented at the meeting by: Yasser Abbas (Adviser to the Palestinian President), Azzam Ahmed (Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization), Dr. Ahmed Majdalani (Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization), and Wael Lafi (Adviser to the Palestinian President for Legal Affairs).
The Lebanese side was represented by: Ambassador Ramez Dimashkieh (Chairman of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee), Major General Hassan Choucair (Director General of General Security), Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Sabaa (Head of the Palestinian Division in General Security), Brigadier General Wajdi Damian (Head of the National Security Branch in the Intelligence Directorate), Colonel Joseph Al-Gharbi (Head of the Refugees and Foreigners Division in the National Security Branch), in addition to the Dialogue Committee’s work team.
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