Lebanon is building a wall near the country's largest Palestinian refugee camp to prevent extremist fighters from infiltrating via nearby orchards, AFP reported Monday (November 21st).
Ain al-Hilweh camp near Sidon has gained notoriety in recent years as a refuge for extremists and fugitives, and last year saw deadly fighting between Jund al-Sham and members of the Fatah movement.
In September, Lebanese forces arrested a Palestinian refugee suspected of links to the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) who was in the camp .
A military source described the wall as a "security measure" that was taken after the arrest of "fugitive terrorists" who had taken shelter in the camp.
Lebanon "is not building a prison or a separation wall, but a wall for protection", the source said, adding that residents would be able to go in and out of the camp, except from the western side, the military source said.
There is ongoing co-operation between Lebanese security forces and Palestinian factions inside the camp to keep a watchful eye on security and keep the situation under control, experts told Al-Mashareq in July.
