You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Nahr al-Bared falls to Lebanon army
2007-09-02
MOHAMMARA, Lebanon - The last area of a Palestinian refugee camp devastated by more than three months of fighting between Islamic militants and Lebanese soldiers fell to the army on Sunday, security officials said.
Hurrah for the Lebs!
Hours after the army killed 32 militants and captured at least 15 others as they tried to flee the Nahr el-Bared camp, only occasional gunfire could be heard inside. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the last stronghold of Fatah Islam militants fell later in the day to the army, which captured five wounded militants in their hideout.
"Don't kill us! Please don't kill us!"
"Into the paddy wagon wit' yez!"
Celebratory gunfire erupted in nearby villages as soon as the news spread.
"Duck, Mahmoud! They're celebrating!"
"Aaaaiiieee!"
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. But the army was not ready to formally declare fighting over in the camp, large parts of which have been destroyed by army bombardments since the siege began.
Learned something from the last premature declaration of victory, did they?
The gunbattles began overnight and tapered off by the afternoon, with troops searching for Fatah al-Islam fighters in buildings, fields and roads around Nahr el-Bared camp, residents reported.
Posted by:tu3031

#16  Being careful here, 'cause it might "go to your heads," but you Rantburg guys have incredibly good taste!
Posted by: Sherry   2007-09-02 20:54  

#15  I'm of the opinion that Lebanese protest chicks are, in general hot.
Posted by: Frank G   2007-09-02 20:14  

#14  What, again?
Posted by: gromgoru   2007-09-02 20:00  

#13  Good lord, the Lebanese chick holding the flag is HOT!
Posted by: Jeremiah Elmolusing5904   2007-09-02 18:20  

#12  YaLibnan's caption under the pic of the Leb cutiepie:
"A Lebanese girl holds the national flag and flashes the victory sign to celebrate the end of fighting in the Nahr el-Bared Palestinian refugee camp"

She does not celebrate the end of fighting ya morons, she celebrates victory!
Posted by: twobyfour   2007-09-02 18:19  

#11  Please permit me to add that—as one of the Middle East's only quasi-functional pluralist states—Lebanon should be applauded loudly for demonstrating a resolve to rid itself of Islamists. Now, if only they could show equal determination against Hezbollah.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-09-02 16:38  

#10  I'd say folks are proud of their army!
Lots more pics here

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Posted by: Sherry   2007-09-02 16:17  

#9  Found this short film clip --
Lebanese people, cheering their soldiers
Posted by: Sherry   2007-09-02 16:08  

#8  Hours after the army killed 32 militants and captured at least 15 others as they tried to flee the Nahr el-Bared camp

What made them attempt a last-ditch breakout? That'll end any siege.
Posted by: gromky   2007-09-02 16:07  

#7  This is interesting
Feb 13, 2007 – The Daily Star

Beirut -- Civil War-era military conscription has officially been relegated to the annals of Lebanese history.

On February 10, the Lebanese Army officially became an all-volunteer force.

Law 665/2005, which officially ended conscription in Lebanon, was passed by Parliament two years ago but did not wholly take effect until Saturday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an army spokesperson told The Daily Star on Monday that "from this day on" the army would replenish its ranks with volunteers.
-----------------
Through a spokesperson, President Emile Lahoud declined to comment on the matter, on the grounds that the law was passed two years ago, was signed at the time by the president and was not a decree issued by the present government.

Retired General Elias Hanna told The Daily Star that conscription was Lahoud's idea of a melting pot in which Lebanese of different confessional backgrounds mixed.

"As it is, Christians rarely go into government service. This was one way to create a confessional equilibrium," Hanna said.

The confessional system stipulates that all high-ranking positions in the army must be distributed 50-50 between Christians and Muslims.

Hanna said a conscript may cost the government less than a professional soldier, but that a professionally trained volunteer would be more efficient in adapting to the army's ever-changing role and mission. For a professional soldier to be efficient, he needs benefits and incentives, Hanna said.

"A draftee is conscripted and trained for two months, then he serves a year in the army and just when he has gained sufficient expertise is sent home," he said.
Posted by: Sherry   2007-09-02 15:43  

#6  Kill anyone who tries to camp there...

All of the "refugee" camps need similar treatment. Either hand over your jihadists or have your camping permit revoked. Deport all displaced individuals to Gaza so that they can share in the Islamic joy.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-09-02 15:13  

#5  I just hope the Lebanese people are as proud of their soldiers as we are.
Posted by: Bobby   2007-09-02 15:11  

#4  Good going, guys... putting those 130 new Humvees to work!
Posted by: Sherry   2007-09-02 14:25  

#3  We now await the HRW report on the Lebanese army's "human rights abuses"...
Posted by: tu3031   2007-09-02 12:49  

#2  Now - level it flat. Plant a grove of trees. Kill anyone who tries to camp there...
Posted by: M. Murcek   2007-09-02 12:31  

#1  I hope al Rooters gets a close up picture of that last drop of blood....
Posted by: Phinater Thraviger   2007-09-02 11:44  

00:00