Lebanese laud troops' win over militants

AP on Yahoo ^ | 9/4/07 | Sam F. Ghattas - ap

[NormsRevenge]

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Thousands of Lebanese on Tuesday lined roads and cheered troops triumphant after crushing al-Qaida-inspired Islamic militants in a three-month-long battle that became the country's worst internal fighting since the 1975-90 civil war.

But military leaders warned that the war on terror is not yet over and asked the international community to help arm the country's military.

The army started withdrawing units Tuesday from the area of the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr el-Bared, close to the port city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, two days after crushing Fatah Islam fighters in a final battle that left more than 40 militants dead.

Army jeeps, tanks and armored carriers inched their way through flag-waving crowds on the main north-south highway. People left their homes and workplaces, as thousands converged to greet the soldiers in communities lining the coast all the way to Beirut, an hour's drive away.

The troops were showered with rice and rose petals as smiling soldiers waved back in an hours-long parade. Some of the military vehicles carried pictures of soldiers who had died in the fighting. Fireworks crackled on the streets and patriotic songs blared over loudspeakers as people danced to the beat of the drums.

Defense Minister Elias Murr told reporters that 222 Fatah Islam militants had been killed and 202 captured. The army lost 163 soldiers in the fighting which erupted May 20 and ended Sunday with the army's final assault after the militants attempted a breakout from Nahr el-Bared.

At least 20 civilians were also killed in the three-month standoff that had forced the camp's more than 30,000 refugees to flee.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino sent congratulations to the Lebanese government, noting that the United States was "pleased" to have been able to provide supplies and training to help in the fight.

"We especially commend the bravery of the Lebanese Armed Forces who fought courageously for over three months to defeat this dangerous enemy," she said. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the 163 Lebanese soldiers who sacrificed their lives to ensure the continued freedom and security of their country."

The dead militants included Fatah Islam leader Shaker al-Absi, whose wife has identified his body at a hospital morgue but an official confirmation of his death is awaiting DNA test results.

Pro-government factions have accused Fatah Islam of being a client of Syrian military intelligence assigned to spread chaos in Lebanon. But military officers on Tuesday reiterated claims that the group is linked with al-Qaida.

"Al-Qaida was in constant contact with Fatah Islam," said Brig. Gen. George Khoury, Lebanon's military intelligence chief. "Fatah Islam was totally linked to al-Qaida," he added without elaborating.

[NormsRevenge]

Lebanese soldiers who withdrew from the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp to their bases in central Lebanon, stand on their armored truck, waving to residents who lined the main north-south highway all the way toward Beirut, cheering and waving the Lebanese flag as they celebrate the end of fighting, in the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. Lebanon's war on terror is not yet over despite the army's crushing defeat of Fatah Islam in a Palestinian refugee camp this week, the defense minister and senior military commanders said Tuesday. They reiterated claims that the militant Islamic group had close links to al-Qaida. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

[NormsRevenge]

A Lebanese special forces soldier who withdrew from the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp to their bases in central Lebanon, sits on his armored personnel carrier, as he carries on his hand a portrait of his dead officer, who killed during the fighting against Fatah Islam group, and a bloody Lebanese flag, in the main north-south highway all the way toward Beirut, in the northern town of Batroun, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. Lebanon's war on terror is not yet over despite the army's crushing defeat of Fatah Islam in a Palestinian refugee camp this week, the defense minister and senior military commanders said Tuesday. They reiterated claims that the militant Islamic group had close links to al-Qaida. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

[NormsRevenge]

Fireworks are launched on the streets as people celebrate the return of the Lebanese soldiers from the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. Thousands of Lebanese on Tuesday lined roads and cheered troops triumphant after crushing al-Qaida inspired Islamic militants in a three-month-long battle that became the country's worst internal fighting since the 1975-90 civil war. (AP Photo/Ahmad Omar)

[DoughtyOne]

Wow, that’s really moving. I started reading this rather detached, but when it hit me that here the Lebanese people were celebrating a victory over the terrorists, it became entirely different.

Congrats to the Lebanese military and to the Lebanese people who have gotten it exactly right here. Good for them.

That’s really great!

[NormsRevenge]

Kudos to the Lebanese men and women that stuck it out.

The victory may be short-lived as AQ is stirring in other refugee camps in Lebanon... and you still have Nasrallah and Hizbollah to co-exist with.

[Azeem]

I hope we don’t get stupid and ignore Lebanon. We have some issues with them but they are fighting their own battles to get rid of Al-Qaida and Syria. The Palestinians have worked hard to wreck beautiful Lebanon.

Keep up the good work Lebanon. Kick out all the Palis and let Syria and Iran deal with them.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. Let’s hope they play their cards right and do just fine.

[snarks_when_bored]

If the Israelis or the Americans had wiped out that terrorist camp, the war crimes tribunal would already be convening in response to raging outcry and wailing from muslims and dhimmis everywhere.