A Lebanese journalist recording through her mobile phone the speeches of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace, in Baabda east Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Abbas is in Beirut for two days visit to meet with Lebanese officials. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) (The Associated Press)
BEIRUT – Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has begun a three-day visit to Beirut, saying Palestinian factions are committed to preserving security in refugee camps around Lebanon.
Abbas arrived Thursday and met with President Michel Aoun. He will meet in the coming days other top Lebanese officials.
Lebanon is home to some 400,000 refugees, mainly in 12 crowded Palestinian refugee camps.
Abbas read a statement after his meeting with Aoun saying that Palestinians stand against terrorism in all its forms.
Over the past months, dozens of wanted people who were taking shelter in the refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh in southern Lebanon have handed themselves over to Lebanese authorities.
Ein el-Hilweh is notorious for its lawlessness and is home to some extremists who sympathize with the Islamic State group and al-Qaida.
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