Samir Geagea ( pictured right) , an anti-Syrian politician who heads the Christian Lebanese Forces, accused Damascus of sending the Islamic militant group's leader, Shaker Al Absi, to Lebanon to "pull the Palestinians into a confrontation with the army in all the Palestinian refugee camps."

Fatah Al -Islam has been involved in armed clashes with the Lebanese army since Sunday in and around the Nahr Al Bared Palestinian refugee camp in the northern port city of Tripoli, in which many refugees have been caught in the crossfire.

In a news conference Wednesday, Geagea noted that Absi, a Palestinian, was serving time in prison in Syria on terrorism charges. He asked why the authorities would release him when Islamic groups, including peaceful members of the Muslim Brotherhood, receive long term prison sentences and even the death penalty in Syria. "They sent him to Lebanon," he said.

"The Palestinians have nothing to do with this battle, in which we and the Palestinians are battling against Fatah Al Islam," he said. "This is a conspiracy against the Lebanese and Palestinians to cause havoc."

The Christian leader insisted that if the army and security services continue to "eliminate" this group, which he described as criminal and terrorist, "the Iraqi winds will not reach Lebanon."

Palestinian leader of the mainstream Fatah organization in Lebanon Sultan Abou Alainain has sided with the government in its efforts to eliminate the Fatah Al-Islam militants. Abou Alainain said we are with our friend the Lebanese army in this fight. He added you cannot have dialogue with terrorists like Fatah Al-Islam. Similarly yesterday PLO representative in Lebanon Abbas Zaki told PM Siniora he fully supports Lebanon's army in this fight.

Abou Alainain and Zaki statements seem to confirm Syria's conspiracy against Lebanon and the Palestinians as disclosed by Geagea.

Siniora said today " Fatah Al-Islam" has nothing to do with Islam nor the Palestinians . He added we have nothing against our brothers the Palestinians

[Watch a video of Samir Geagea's press conference]

Sources: Ya Libnan, metimes , LBC