(Independent-UK) - Sa'id Ghazali Sources close to the Al-Aqsa Brigades, linked to Arafat's ruling Fatah party, said Palestinians in south Lebanon were trying to recruit militants in the West Bank for attacks in Israel. A source said underground cells in Ramallah, Jenin, and Balata refugee camp received instructions from Fatah leaders in Lebanon, including Muneer Maqdah from Ein al-Helweh near Sidon. Details are emerging of how, in an effort to shore up the splits in Fatah and the Al-Aqsa Brigades, Abu Mazen's government has been paying militant leaders to honor the ceasefire. A Palestinian minister admitted that payments had been made, but did not confirm rumors that one leader received as much as $10,000. Abdul Fattah Hamayel, Minister without Portfolio, said: "They are human beings. They need to pay the rent and the telephone bill."
2003-07-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive