Lebanese PM Vows to Uproot Islamic Terrorists in Refugee Camp

In a nationally televised speech Thursday, Mr. Siniora said the Lebanese army had been a victim of a "terrorist organization." He said "we will work to eradicate terrorism, but we will protect our Palestinian brothers."

On Wednesday, Lebanon's Defense Minister Elias Murr issued an ultimatum to the Fatah al-Islam militants holed up in the Nahr al-Bared camp, saying they must surrender or face further military action.

The militants say they will abide by the truce announced Tuesday, but will not surrender and will fight if attacked.

About 75 people - soldiers, militants and civilians - have been killed since the fighting began Sunday.

Lebanese military officials say troops also sank two small boats the militants were using to escape the besieged camp on Tuesday.

Relief workers say as many as half of some 30,000 residents of the camp have fled since the fragile truce went into effect. Most headed to the nearby Lebanese city of Tripoli and another Palestinian refugee camp, Beddawi.

In other news, the new French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, is expected to visit Beirut Thursday for talks with Mr. Siniora and other senior officials, including the speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri.

The battles on the outskirts of Tripoli are said to be the worst internal fighting since Lebanon's 15-year civil war ended in 1990. - VOA News