News: Lebanon security update!

My source in Lebanon sendt me this update on the current situation. Review the end of the post for travelling tips and possible areas to stay away from!

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Fights have been ongoing since May 20 between the Lebnanese Army and the "Fateh El-Islam" organization, a multinational (mainly Arabs) terrorist group, which is taking the Palestinian refugee camp of "Naher El-Bared" (North of the Tripoli city) as a safe haven. About 50 army members and security officers have been killed and almost the same number wounded. It is difficult for the Lebanese army to target this terrosit group since it is hiding between Palestinian civilians (as human shields). After a few days of shelling, a few members of the organization were killed or captured and a few Palestinian civilians killed and wounded. Now the humanitarian situation in "Naher El-Bared" camp is really bad with no electricity, no water and no phones.

As fights have been reduced since last night many Palestinian families are exoding to another refugee camp the "Beddawi", which they believe is safer, at least for the time being. During this temporary truce some humanitarian assistance from UNRWA, Lebanese Red Cross, Palestinian Red Crescent, Hariri Humnaitarian organization,... including medications, food and water are being transported into the camp while wounded and killed people are being transported out of the camp.

A member of "Fateh El-Islam" organization pursued by the Lebanese Army detonated himself yesterday in a Tripoli building. Another member of this terrorist group, a suicide bomber, detonated himself at an army checkpoint in Naher el-Bared. Such suicide bombing operations, seen in Iraq, are new in kind in Lebanon.

On the other hand, a 30 kg TNT bomb exploded on May 20 at 11:45 PM next to ABC mall in Ashrafieh (Beirut) during which a woman was killed and a few people slightly wounded. Another bomb exploded on May 21 at 10:40 PM in Verdun (Beirut) during which 7 people were wounded including a woman and 2 children.

At present, the political situation is very unpredictable while more terrorist incidents are expected in the country.

Some human security recommendations:

Please avoid travelling to Lebanon in the next few weeks if not necessary.
Here are some possible targets in Beirut. Please restrict your movement (especially after 9:00 PM) & avoid being in Gemmayzeh & Monot and the following locations:

ABC Mall Achrafieh
ABC Mall Dbayeh
Giant Casino Mall Dora
Monot Street
Gemmayzeh Street
Casino du Liban Jounieh
Big universities/ AUB
Sodeco Square
Metropolitan Hotel
Local transportations (buses)
Any other business centers & shopping streets.