Beirut (AsiaNews) – After days of relative calm, this morning the Lebanese army began an intense bombardment of remaining Fatah al-Islam positions in Nahr al-Bared camp: military sources speak of preparations for the final assault, made possible by the evacuation of 200 Palestinian civilians.  According to Lebanon’s NNA news agency, at least 25 of them are currently under interrogation.

At a political level, Hezbollah has confirmed that it will take part in “informal talks” between the 14 major parties hosted in La Celle-Saint-Cloud, near Paris from July 14 to 16.  An appeal to Lebanon’s politicians to  “place national interests above individual differences” was made yesterday by King Abdullah II of Jordan, while there is great anticipation ahead a report due to be presented today to UN secretary general by the chief of the UN’s commission for the enquiry into the Hariri assassination, Serge Brammertz. 

Clouds of smoke cover Nahr al-Bared, where the army’s advance on the buildings still in the hands of Fatah al-Islam since May 20th last, has claimed the lives of two soldiers. At least 80 terrorists along with some families are believed to be barricaded in the buildings.  In unconfirmed reports the two soldiers apparently were killed in an ambush.   

Politically the most significant fact is the confirmation made by Naim Kassem, number two of Hezbollah, that his party will take part in negotiations in France.  In an interview with al-Manar television he reiterated that the meeting represents a “propitious occasion” to arrive at a solution to the crises.

Finally there is great expectation ahead of the Brammertz report, even if information gathered by the Orient Le Jour says it mainly deals with the progress of the enquiry without naming any suspects: the Belgian judge aims to make them public only during the International trial proceedings, which should bring those responsible for the murder of the ex premier and other political assassinations in Lebanon to justice.  In the meantime, Beirut has announced the Lebanese judges which should make up part of the panel, chosen by the country’s Supreme Council for Justice.  (PD)