Shehab Qdour, better known by his pseudonym of Abu Hureira, said in a telephone interview with the pan-Arab Al Hayat newspaper that "sleeper cells" in all 12 Palestinian refugee camps and elsewhere in Lebanon were awaiting word for a "violent response."

Abu Hureira assured that Fatah al-Islam is "capable of transferring the battle to any spot in Lebanon."

"We can easily do that," he told Al Hayat by telephone from Nahr al-Bared.

He said Fatah al-Islam can launch a guerrilla war "which no army can defeat."

Abu Hureira said Fatah al-Islam members were "highly qualified" warriors with fighting experience outside Lebanon," adding that he himself enjoys a 21-year combating experience in various countries.

He emphasized that his group has no intentions to attack peacekeepers of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon "as long as they do not hit us."

Abu Hureira said between 600 to 700 Fatah al-Islam militants were spread across Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps, not just in Nahr al-Bared as believed by the Lebanese authorities.

"They are (in a state) of maximum alert," he said.

Abu Hureira denied reports that Fatah al-Islam leader Shaker Absi had been wounded during the three days of fighting with Lebanese troops in Nahr el-Bared.

He said the terrorist group has underground shelters in the camp on the outskirts of the northern port city of Tripoli.

"We have nothing to lose," he said. "We are ready to fight two years or more."

Many observers Ya Libnan contacted think Abu Hureira is bluffing . "600 to 700 fighers is a huge number for an organization that was started few months back" Mohammad Rashid a local Palestinian observer said .He added :" This is now a psychological warfare and Abu Hureira is trying to scare the Lebanese authorities".

Yesterday Prime Minister Fouad Siniora vowed to finish off Fatah al-Islam and called them terrorists that have nothing to do with Islam , nor the Palestinians.

Picture: Ambulances loaded with medical supplies, drive past Lebanese soldiers as they enter the besieged camp of Nahr al-Bared in north Lebanon. Thousands remain trapped inside camp. Fatah al -Islam is reportedly preventing the civilians from fleeing and using them as human shields.

Sources : Ya Libnan - Naharnet