LEBANON: EAC CONVENES TO REVIEW COMBAT AT NAHR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 000780 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/MARCHESE/HARDING E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2012 TAGS: ASEC AMGT PTER CASC LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: EAC CONVENES TO REVIEW COMBAT AT NAHR EL-BARAD, COLLATERAL THREATS REF: BEIRUT 754 (DTG 291202Z MAY 07) Classified By: Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador. Reason: Sections 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The full Embassy Beirut Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened at 1600 hrs. local to review security threats in the aftermath of the Lebanese Armed Forces' entry into the Nahr el-Barad Palestinian refugee camp. The EAC confirmed that off-compound personal moves have been suspended and that off-compound official moves will be approved only upon Embassy COM/DCM review, per reftel. These practices will be reviewed again at the next EAC meeting, scheduled for 1300 hrs. local on June 2. ¶2. (C) Embassy Defense Attache and others provided the EAC with an overview of the Lebanese Armed Forces' (LAF) operations, strategy, and tactics as they relate to the fighting at the Nahr el-Barad camp. Several members of the EAC noted that disinformation has been circulated by various parties for various purposes. The LAF has been pursuing a press policy aimed at reducing the risk of outbreaks of violence at other Palestinian refugee camps. The EAC accepted the Defense Attache's assessment that fighting at Nahr el-Barad could continue for another 10-12 days before all Fatah al-Islam combatants are killed or captured, or the conflict is otherwise brought to a close. The EAC also noted a strong chance that bombings or other explosions in the Beirut environs could resume, following the three explosions of last week. ¶3. (C) The EAC agreed that most USG official temporary duty visitors to Lebanon should postpone their travel to Beirut, pending resolution of the present situation. Country clearances will be approved on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the risks and benefits of the visit. ¶4. (C) The EAC reviewed the status of the USG cargo handlers at Beirut International Airport who are expediting ammunition shipments to the Lebanese Armed Forces. The cargo handlers are considered to be secure in protected quarters at the airport, and the EAC noted contingency plans to move them to the Embassy compound should conditions warrant. USG military trainers at the LAF Ranger training site will restrict their off-site movements in order to maximize security. FELTMAN