"There is no connection between Fatah al-Islam and al Qaida, but Syria is using al Qaida as a diversion to deceive the Lebanese and make us believe that Syria is not involved with this terrorist organization , but let me assure you Fatah al-Islam was made in Syria" Jumblatt said.

According to Jumblatt Syria had a plea bargain deal with Fatah al-Islam leader Shaker Absi to free him from prison against heading up the terrorist organization and move to Lebanon to create havoc. This way Syria will camouflage its role and can use the fact that he was in jail as an excuse to deceive the Lebanese people.

Fatah al-Islam's Islamic emirate in Lebanon

In another development Al Hayat newspaper in an investigative report said that Fatah al-Islam was shocked by the resistance of the Lebanese army. According to the paper Fatah al-Islam was positioning itself with the help of radical pro-Syrian Palestinian militant cells to declare the north of Lebanon as its own Islamic emirate.

"From the moment Fatah al-Islam stepped foot in Nahr el bared it started eying Tripoli , the second largest city in Lebanon. Its plan was to take over the city and the northern part of Lebanon. Fatah al-Islam was counting on the divisive political crises in Lebanon to make its plan succeed." The paper said

The Lebanese army's forceful preemptive action against Fatah al-Islam came as a big surprise . Fatah al-Islam was also surprised by the coordination between the Lebanese army and the Lebanese security forces in the confrontation.

According to Al Hayat, its sources are the mediators from Akkar and Tripoli , who tried to convince Fatah al-Islam leader to hand over the terrorists that shot and killed the Lebanese army personnel.

According to these sources Fatah al-Islam , was confident that with the help of the radical pro-Syrian Palestinian militant cells it was easily able to take over the north of Lebanon .

Who funds Fatah al-Islam?

According to eyewitnesses Fatah al-Islam militants are flush with cash. The eyewitnesses said that Fatah al-Islam has acquired several buildings and large parcels of land as soon as it landed at the Nahr el Bared refugee camp...all of which was paid for cash. The eyewitnesses asked " who is financing these people , because none of the Fatah al-Islam militants does any work ?"

The Lebanese anti Syrian majority accuses Syria of forming , training and funding Fatah al-Islam. Syria was also accused by the US and France "of state sponsored terrorism"

Sources: LBC ( Arabic)