Lebanon on Thursday commenced a long-awaited initiative to disarm Palestinian factions in refugee camps, a move officials described as key to establishing the state’s sole authority over arms.
The effort began with the transfer of weapons from the Burj al-Barajneh camp in Beirut to the Lebanese army, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office. Authorities said more handovers are expected in the coming weeks from Burj al-Barajneh and other camps nationwide.
A Fatah official told reporters that only recently smuggled weapons were being surrendered at this stage. Television footage showed army vehicles entering the camp shortly before the reported handover.
The disarmament initiative is part of Lebanon’s commitment under a truce with Israel, reached in November and backed by the United States, which restricts weapons to six designated state security agencies. It also underscores the government’s wider challenge of curbing the influence of armed groups, including Hezbollah.
The cabinet has directed the army to present a plan by the end of the year to consolidate all weapons under state control. The move follows a May 21 summit between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, during which both leaders reaffirmed that only the state should bear arms.
Two days later, Lebanese and Palestinian officials unveiled a timeline and mechanism for the disarmament process. Palestinian factions have long maintained considerable autonomy inside Lebanon’s 12 refugee camps, which generally operate outside the state’s direct control.
Thursday’s handover is viewed as the most serious attempt in years to limit armed activity in the camps, marking what observers say could be a turning point in Lebanon’s fragile security landscape.
