Representative of the Islamic Jihad in Lebanon Abu Imad Rifaei told Al-Manar Website that the recognition of a Palestinian State in the UN is not the end, and that it is only one round in the conflict against Israel.

Abu Imad Refaei to Al-Manar Website:
Declaration of Palestinian State… Not the End;
Slowing Down Reconstruction of Camp Suspicious;
We Want Promises to Be Translated on Ground;
There Should Be No Swap between State and Rights;
Lebanon’s Government Must Seriously Pressure UNRWA;
We Will Enter New Stage in Conflict with Israeli Enemy

Representative of Islamic Jihad in Lebanon Abu Imad Refaei said that the visit of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to Lebanon comes, as announced, as part of the Palestinian leadership’s efforts to get necessary support for the Palestinian membership within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

In an exclusive interview with Al-Manar Website, Refaei hoped that this visit would serve the Lebanese-Palestinian relationship in a way that would urge the Lebanese government to reconsider the real misery the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are facing.

While noting that getting any demand would be a positive point to be added to the record of achievements and sacrifices of the Palestinian people, he expressed fears that the announcement of this state would come at the expense of the Palestinian people’s rights. He stressed that this development could not be the absolute end of the cause.

Refaei emphasized that what concerns the Palestinian refugees is that the promises of consolidating their life conditions be practically translated. He also raised the issue of the reconstruction of Nahr Al-Bared camp, and urged the Lebanese government to pressure the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to accelerate the process, warning that slowing down the reconstruction is believed to be ‘suspicious.’

ABBAS’S VISIT…

Abu Imad Refaei told Al-Manar Website that the visit of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to Lebanon comes, as announced, as part of the Palestinian leadership’s efforts to get necessary support for the Palestinian membership within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He noted that Abbas will also inaugurate during his visit the Palestinian embassy and raise the Palestinian flag.

He noted that the visit would also tackle the Lebanese-Palestinian issues, and spoke about “acceptable efforts” in this context to unify the Palestinian vision over the human and civilian rights of the Palestinian refugees. He said that President Abu Mazen would raise these issues with the Lebanese leaders he would meet.

Refaei hoped that this visit would serve the Lebanese-Palestinian relationship in a way that pushes the Lebanese government to reconsider the real misery faced by Palestinian refugees.

LEBANESE MUST TRANSLATE PROMISES

Answering a question on whether Prime Minister Najib Miqati expressed cooperation with the Palestinian factions’ delegation which met him last week and submitted a memorandum about its demands, Abu Imad Refaei noted that all Lebanese leaders have always shown cooperation and understanding. “They all say they believe our demands are rightful and just, and that the misery we’re facing is unfair. Yet, what concerns us is the practical translation of these promises. We want them to really take our misery into consideration, to stop the injustice.”

While noting that the Lebanese stances are in general positive and that promises have become more like a routine, he warned that the refugee camps were witnessing a real catastrophe due to the suffering taking place at the social level. He also pointed to the extensive security measures that increase the crisis level.

SUSPICIOUS CONSPIRACY

Abu Imad Refaei pointed to the reconstruction of Nahr Al-Bared refugee camp. He noted that a big injustice was committed there, after promises of swiftly rebuilding the camp were not fulfilled. “Four years have passed and nothing was achieved,” he said, as he warned of an intention to integrate the Palestinian refugees in the Lebanese status-quo through keeping them outside the camps.

While raising question marks over slowing down the reconstruction process, he urged the Lebanese government to pressure the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to accelerate the process, warning that slowing down the reconstruction is believed to be ‘suspicious.’

WE WILL OPEN REFUGEES’ FILE AGAIN

To conclude, Abu Imad Refaei tackled the much-awaited challenge related to the Palestinian membership within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He said that getting any demand would be a positive point to be added to the record of achievements and sacrifices of the Palestinian people. Yet, he expressed fears that the announcement of this state would come at the expense of the Palestinian people’s rights. He stressed this development could not be the absolute end of the cause.

“The declaration of the Palestinian state would not be the end. It is only a round that will lead us to another round in the conflict with the enemy over many files, including the refugees’ one.”