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