BEIRUT -- Well, the situation up north has settled into a standoff, despite a bout of gunfire on Monday. The various Palestinian factions are trying to negotiate an end to this crisis, and the Lebanese government has given them time to get the job done. But while several politicians, such as Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, have said the military option is off the table, we may very well see more violence before this is over. Lebanon simply can't allow these guys to walk away, as I've mentioned before.
The group continues to refuse to hand over any of its fighters. "This is impossible," said Fatah al-Islam spokesman Abu Salim Taha via telephone from inside Nahr el-Bared.
I'll be heading back up, probably Tuesday, to monitor the situation. In the meantime, here are some of the stories I filed over the last week:
- Lebanon, Syria Point Fingers in Recent Violence (Washington Times)
- Lebanese army assault cheered, but raises fears (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Bodies piling up in assault on camp (San Francisco Chronicle)
Another one on the foreign fighters in Fatah al-Islam is due out tomorrow morning.
UPDATE 5/30/07 2:13:53 AM: And here it is! Sorry for the delay. Been busy here taking care of daily life that got put on hold while the North caught fire. Right now, things are more or less quiet, with the occasional exchange of fire. We'll see how long it holds.
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