Conflict Incident Report

The Lebanese Army have arrested a high-ranking Fatah Movement officer suspected of being an arms dealer, who Palestinian sources fear may have sold weapons to Islamist extremists inside the camp, a security source said.

“Ali Sleiman, referred to as Souko, was arrested last night by the Army’s Intelligence Branch in south Lebanon,” the source said.

Palestinian individuals voiced concerns to The Daily Star that the suspect may have sold weapons to Islamists inside Sidon’s Palestinian refugee camp.

Head of the Palestinian National Security Forces in Lebanon, Gen. Sobhi Abu Arab, was also reportedly being interrogated by security forces for further information regarding Sleiman’s activities. "Abu Arab is Sleiman's boss, as [the latter] is an officer under his leadership," the security source said.

The security source noted that another man, known as “Hamzah,” is designated by the Palestinian authorities to purchase weapons for the Palestinian security forces. This man, the source added, was a good friend of Sleiman, and in constant communication with him. “Sleiman was dealing weapons illegally,” the security source said.

Ain al-Hilweh is arguably the most unstable of Lebanon’s 12 official refugee camps, with frequently recurring clashes.

It has also become a safe haven for Islamist extremists seeking refuge, as well as Lebanese citizens fleeing the authorities.

Various hardline and Islamist factions vie for control of areas within the camp, meaning assassinations, grenade attacks and shootings are not infrequent.

Lebanese security forces are not allowed inside the camp, making it difficult for them to efficiently apprehend wanted suspects residing within its borders.

A joint Palestinian security force is in charge of maintaining calm inside the camp, however, chronic underfunding and divisions within the force – which is drawn from moderate Islamic and nationalist factions – has left the unit unable to decisively exert control over much of the camp.