RAMALLAH, August 21, 2025 (WAFA) – Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for President Mahmoud Abbas, announced today that an agreement has been reached between the State of Palestine and the Republic of Lebanon to begin the process of handing over weapons from Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon to the Lebanese army, to be held in trust.
According to Abu Rudeineh, the first batch of weapons was handed over on Thursday by relevant Palestinian authorities from the Burj al-Barajneh and Al-Buss refugee camps. He confirmed that the process will continue in other camps across Lebanon in the coming period.
This step follows the joint presidential statement issued on May 21, 2025, after a formal meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut. During the talks, both leaders reaffirmed the strong historical relationship between their peoples and emphasized the importance of coordination and cooperation.
During that meeting, President Abbas reiterated Palestine’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions.
The two sides reaffirmed the right of return for Palestinian refugees to their original homes as stipulated in UN Resolution 194 and rejected any proposals involving resettlement or displacement.
Abu Rudeineh noted that a joint Palestinian-Lebanese committee has been formed to monitor conditions in the camps and work toward improving humanitarian and living standards, while fully respecting Lebanese sovereignty and legal framework.
He added that both parties are committed to upholding the human, social, and economic rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon in a way that ensures a dignified life without compromising their right of return or national identity.
According to the presidential spokesman, both sides also agreed on the importance of ensuring that all weapons are under the exclusive authority of the Lebanese state, reinforcing Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Abu Rudeineh stated that the two presidents emphasized the need to maintain security and stability in the refugee camps through close coordination between the relevant agencies in both Lebanon and Palestine.
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