DAR AL HARB / ISLAM - LEBANON: "OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO COMBAT THE JEWS IN PALESTINE. WE WANT TO PLANT THE BANNER OF ISLAM IN PALESTINE."

Lebanon Islamists recruit Palestinians to fight Israel

Bearded young Palestinians parade with rocket-launchers during training in north Lebanon organised by Fatah al-Islam, a tiny group accused of terror attacks and links with Al-Qaeda.

The new recruits also carry assault rifles and heavy machine guns as they march alongside militant Abu Salim, who hides his face under a red-and-white chequered headscarf.

"Our main objective is to combat the Jews in Palestine. We want to plant the banner of Islam in Palestine," Abu Salim told AFP.

He said Fatah al-Islam, which first came to be known last November, "offers military training to young Palestinians" in a field near the sea at the Nahr al-Bared camp that houses about 22,000 refugees.

The training generally takes place at night to maintain secrecy. The recruits learn how to handle the arms near one of the group's offices in the camp under the watchful eye of black-clad guards.
In a hangar, the militants are introduced to medium and heavy weaponry, including anti-tank rocket launchers and cannons.

The Palestinian group counts about 150 militants among its ranks, some of whom have fought against the US-led coalition in Iraq. The group also has the largest arsenal among the various armed factions in Nahr al-Bared.

...


Pertinent Links:

1) Lebanon Islamists recruit Palestinians to fight Israel