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In a groundbreaking development, Lebanon is on the verge of its first significant victory in its enduring battle against terrorism, as it prepares to disarm Palestinian refugee camps across the country. This move, which signals a potential new era in Lebanese-Palestinian relations, aligns with the broader goal of securing the state's monopoly on the legitimate use of force.

On Wednesday, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was received in Beirut with an elaborate ceremony before heading to a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda. Following this meeting, a rare joint statement was issued, reflecting a cooperative stance on several critical issues.

The statement, which condemned Israeli strikes in Gaza and Lebanon, primarily focused on the contentious issue of disarming the Palestinian refugee camps—a process set to start in June. The camps, including Bedawi, El Buss, Rashidieh, and others, have long been armed strongholds. Reports since March have indicated that the United States and Israel have been exerting pressure on Lebanon to disarm these camps, even suggesting the use of force if necessary.

Abbas's visit was preluded by significant groundwork, with advance visits by his son Yasser Abbas and Palestinian General Intelligence Chief Majed Faraj. Faraj, in particular, concentrated on the weapons issue, proposing a transitional phase where Palestinian Authority security personnel would collaborate with Lebanese government officials to manage the camps.

The initiative to control arms within these camps comes as part of a larger agenda spearheaded by "New Lebanon," a governing coalition led by President Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. This coalition aims to establish Lebanon as a "normal" state, despite the considerable influence of Hezbollah, which remains a highly powerful organization.

The urgency of disarming Palestinian factions in Lebanon was recently underscored by tensions reported in the Hezbollah-aligned newspaper Al-Akhbar. The newspaper highlighted escalating frictions between Lebanese authorities and Hamas, indicating a broader effort to curb the activities of such groups. Some Hamas members were even turned over to the Lebanese army following their involvement in March's rocket attacks on Israel.

Lebanon hosts approximately 280,000 Palestinians within these camps, far fewer than the 520,000 registered residents reported by Al-Akhbar. These camps are not only troubled by arms proliferation but also by severe humanitarian challenges. Education, healthcare, and aid services have dwindled, with UNRWA cutting back its provisions to the bare minimum.

Palestinians in Lebanon suffer systemic discrimination and lack basic rights enjoyed by Lebanese citizens, leading to a marginalized existence with limited employment opportunities. Many Palestinians resort to menial jobs, enduring harsh living conditions that have only worsened with the influx of Syrian refugees in recent years.

The joint statement issued on Wednesday also addressed the poor conditions in the camps and the pressing need to improve refugees' living standards while respecting Lebanese sovereignty and law. Additionally, it reinforced the commitment to a "just solution" for Palestinians that facilitates their return to their homeland in Israel, rejecting concepts of resettlement or displacement.

This historic move by Lebanon, underpinned by international support and strategic collaboration with Palestinian authorities, marks a tentative but hopeful step towards stabilizing the nation and addressing the long-standing issues within Palestinian refugee camps.