LEBANON: EAC MEETS TO REVIEW VIOLENCE OF MAY 20-21

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000710

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/MARCHESE/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2012
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: EAC MEETS TO REVIEW VIOLENCE OF MAY 20-21

Classified By: Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador. Reason Sections 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).


1. (C) Summary: On May 21 at 0900 local, the DCM convened
a full Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting to review the
events of May 20-21 and to consider follow-up security
measures. It was agreed that the Embassy would maintain its
strict review of all off-compound moves, issue a U.S. citizen
warden message upon Washington approval of a proposed text,
and review the programs and moves of two upcoming CODELs and
two STAFFDELs. End Summary.


2. (C) On May 20, fighting broke out in northern Lebanon
between the extremist group Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese
Armed Forces (LAF) and the Lebanese Internal Security Forces
(ISF). At about 2330 local on May 20, a bomb was detonated
near the ABC shopping mall in Achrafieh, an upscale Christian
area in east Beirut. During the morning of May 21, there
were extensive press reports of resumed fighing in northern
Lebanon, which again appeared to focus on the group Fatah
al-Islam and the Nahr al-Barad Palestinian refugee camp where
Fatah al-Islam maintains a presence. Casualties on the
LAF/ISF side appear to number 27 dead, 50 injured, and one
wounded. Civilian casualties are unknown at this time, but
are likely significant. The press is reporting that 19
anti-government fighters were killed by Lebanon's security
forces. While more detailed reports of the May 20-21
fighting will be provided in other messages, all members of
the EAC concluded that the Lebanese security forces were
seriously matched by the organization, skill, and
determination of the Fatah al-Islam fighters. We understand
that the Achrafieh bomb may have comprised 20 kgs. of TNT and
a timing device. The EAC speculated that the Achrafieh
bombing may have been staged by Fatah al-Islam or its allies,
but so far there has been no confirmation of responsibility.


3. (C) The EAC reviewed existing practices for off-compound
moves, the upcoming Embassy visitors schedule, likely threats
to the Embassy community, and the existing travel warning.
The EAC concurred that all off-compound moves by Embassy
personnel will continue to be reviewed carefully with respect
to routes and destinations. The Embassy's consular section
will draft and submit to the Department a proposed warden
message, to be disseminated upon Department approval. The
EAC also discussed the security implications for a STAFFDEL
now in Beirut until May 22, a CODEL scheduled to be in Beirut
May 29-30, a second CODEL on May 31, and a STAFFDEL on June

1. It was agreed that the timing and in-country programs of
these delegations would be reviewed in light of evolving
threats based on internal security developments in Lebanon.


FELTMAN