LEBANON: Explosions in Palestinian camp

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is from the Qatar News Agency (QNA)

BEIRUT, Apr 26 2003 (IPS) - Four hand grenades exploded in Ain el Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon without causing casualties, Palestinian sources said Saturday.

Lebanon’s "Future" TV station said two grenades were thrown onto the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) office in the refugee camp of Ain el Hilweh and another grenade was thrown into Fatah offices in the same camp, causing material damage.

A fourth grenade was then thrown onto the house of Fatah official, Fouad Charkaoui, without causing casualties.

About 367,000 Palestinian refugees live in 12 camps scattered across Lebanon.

The Lebanese army maintains posts outside the camps and leaves security in the shantytowns to the Palestinian factions.

Since August last year, more than 40 bomb or grenade attacks have been recorded in Ain el Hilweh camp. Palestinian sources say the blasts are aimed at destabilizing security in the camps.

Three people, including an Egyptian, have been killed, and a dozen injured in the attacks.