Rival groups clash at Palestinian base in Lebanon
BEIRUT, Lebanon
The Ein al-Bayda camp is one of several bases run by Palestinian
militant groups in Lebanon. Most of them are located in the eastern
Bekaa Valley near the border with Syria, whose government supports
the groups.
The bases, which are separate from the country's Palestinian
refugee camps, are illegal. Lebanese authorities, however, have
left them be for fear that any clash with the groups could be
explosive.
Thursday's fighting was between rival Palestinian groups and
lasted three hours, Lebanese security officials said. The camp is
run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General
Command.
A senior military official said the fighting stopped after four
militants -- three Palestinians and a Lebanese man -- handed
themselves over to Lebanese troops. Lebanese forces were seen
taking up positions near the base but did not intervene.
Police officials said a member of the militant group was killed
in the fighting.
The security and military officials spoke on condition of
anonymity in line with military regulations.
