Yesterday, Two Lebanese Soldiers Were Killed In The Battles.
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8/31/2007
An army spokesman told AFP that the death of the soldiers at Nahr al-Bared campbrought to 152 the number of troops killed since the standoff with Fatah al-Islam fighters began on May 20. Soldiers meanwhile proceeded with demining operations inside the bombed-out camp, focusing on subterranean shelters now under army control as well as other positions previously held by the militants. The fighters, thought to number about 60, have been trying to negotiate all week to have some of their wounded evacuated, but the army has steadfastly refused calling for the unconditional surrender of everyone. He said of the militants still inside the camp, some 30 to 35 are believed injured, nine of them seriously. An additional 20 men are fugitives sought for various crimes and not necessarily related to Fatah al-Islam. He said one reason the army was having such a hard time in ending the three-month standoff was that it was poorly equipped and was dealing with a well-prepared and well-armed enemy willing to fight to the death. |
