Lebanese army takes full control of refugee camp, kills 32 militants

[bemildred]

Source: AP

Resistance by al-Qaida-inspired militants in a northern Palestinian refugee camp collapsed Sunday, hours after a mass breakout left 32militants dead, Lebanese security officials said, signaling an end to three months of fighting.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said the last area of Nahr el-Bared camp held by Fatah Islam fighters fell to the army, which captured five wounded militants in their hideout.

Only occasional gunfire could be heard inside Nahr el-Bared, hours after the officials said the army killed 32 militants and captured at least 15 others when they broke out of the camp and attempted to flee.

But celebratory gunfire erupted in nearby villages as soon as the news spread. Dozens of residents took to the streets of Mohammara, waving Lebanese flags and honking their horns as troop convoys poured into the area with soldiers flashing victory signs.

Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/899913.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Over 400 killed on all sides in the 3 months

Lebanon army 'killed 222 rebels'

...

Elias Murr said 202 militants from the Fatah al-Islam group were captured since fighting erupted in May.

A number have been charged with murder and terrorist offences.

The Lebanese army finally took control of Nahr al-Bared camp on Sunday. At least 160 soldiers died in Lebanon's worst internal violence since 1990.

At least 42 civilians were also killed in the fierce fighting, bringing the death toll to more than 400.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6977673.stm

[bemildred]

2. I was thinking it was going to go on forever.

Had me thinking about the Branch Davidians in Waco.

This ought to solidify the Lebanese Army as the one part of the government that can function.

I wonder whether any investigation into how this came about will occur.