On June 22, the Austrian newspaper Der Standard printed an interview with Prime Minister Fouad al-Siniora:
 
Q: What do you expect from Austria's Donor Conference?
 
Siniora: First, this conference is for the donors. We don't have to forget that other meetings were held with many ambassadors in Lebanon after the confrontations in Nahr al-Bared. The Vienna Conference will give us a chance to put the spotlight on the problems that the Lebanese people and refugees have been facing ever since 1948, when
Israel threw out the Palestinians from their homeland. About 400,000 Palestinian refugees reside in Lebanon, most of them living in miserable conditions.
 
More than any other country, Lebanon had to carry a burden that went beyond its capacities. As for the Nahr al-Bared conflict, the Palestinian refugee camp fell into the hands of Fatah al-Islam, which attacked the Lebanese Armed Forces and slaughtered Lebanese soldiers. After the beginning of the clashes, we called on the different Palestinian factions within the camp to condemn the murders perpetrated by this terrorist organization and convince its members to surrender, while we promised that those who did would receive good treatment. However, our call fell on deaf ears, and the army had to confront the organization, following the government's instructions, which led to the massive destruction.
 
Q: But it is a political problem that doesn't only pertain to the construction of a new camp. Can you help the Palestinians fight these terrorist organizations? Do you think you have eradicated the Fatah al-Islam organization?
 
Siniora: We don't know exactly. They might have other supporters, but we have thwarted the organization's plan, which might have encompassed other camps, and we verified the seriousness of the Lebanese state in this regard. It was the first time the Lebanese army carried out such an activity upon the direction of the Lebanese state.
 
Similar clashes occurred in Jordan, but in a very different context. In Lebanon, this group encountered the army and committed various crimes. The group was named Fatah al-Islam after the Fatah Movement and Islam. But Fatah and Islam are both innocent of this terrorist group. Ultimately, I believe this organization lost its capacities, and we have to wait for the future to see [the fate of this group].
 
It is worth mentioning that since 1965, the refugee camps have not been under the Lebanese government's control, which means they do not abide by Lebanese law. It is our duty to treat the refugees like brothers and remember that they have suffered from Israel's suppression and that they were expelled from their country. They are victims of Israel's suppression, and they faced so many miserable conditions as a result.
 
Hence, we should understand the reality under which the Palestinians are living and realize the crime perpetrated by Israel against them while the international community was watching. If we want to resolve the crisis, we have to realize its roots, namely the Palestinian cause and the Israeli occupation and the right of return. Israel is not ready to endorse the Arab initiative bestowed by King Abdullah from Saudi Arabia. This initiative is very essential, as it was the first time the Arabs extended their hands to achieve a comprehensive, just and permanent peace. But Israel did not comprehend the importance of this proposal offered by the Arabs and Muslims in the world.
 
There is a Palestinian problem pertaining to the living conditions of the Palestinian refugee, since they are guests in Lebanon, which doesn't accept recruiting them. The Palestinians should be exposed to the law and the Lebanese regime. Hence, the Lebanese government took the initiative since October 2005 and endeavored to establish a relationship based on the trust between the Lebanese and the Palestinians.
 
The refugees have suffered enough, and we have to understand their situation to resolve many of the problems related to their presence in Lebanon. This was adopted by our government and President Sleiman in the inauguration speech. The Lebanese and the Palestinians agreed to resolve their crisis and allow the refugees to work in Lebanon to get paid so that they do not end up being easy prey for terrorist groups to recruit. They are unable to liberate Palestine or work, which exerts further pressures on them. We have to look at the reality from different dimensions: Israel should revive the peace process to resolve the issue from its roots.
 
We have to improve the living conditions of the refugees and their social and economic circumstances. Most importantly, we should impose the law on the Palestinians as it is imposed on the Lebanese. When the Nahr al-Bared crisis emerged, we asked the terrorist group to surrender, but we were faced with absolute refusal, and then the
Lebanese army was obliged to intervene. It was a difficult situation, but a necessary one; or else, Lebanon would have faced a worse situation.
 
This organization is like a chronic disease that might expand to other areas and countries. Then, a war would break out, and extremists would increase, which makes Lebanon a country that exports terrorists to other countries, and not only a country that imports them. This is why we took a decision to confront, and we explained to the Palestinians the necessary of yielding to the Lebanese authority. We also asked the Palestinians to leave the camp, and we wanted to protect the innocent civilians. But we affirmed that their displacement would be temporary, and their return is inevitable. We will reconstruct the camp so it comes under the authority of the Lebanese state and Lebanese security forces.
 
Q: This way, Nahr al-Bared camp becomes a model for other camps?

Siniora: Yes, we want it to be a model until all Palestinian refugees return to their homeland.
 
Q: But do you expect their return to Israel?
 
Siniora: The Palestinians are the ones to take the decision. The United Nations gave them the right of return, and they are free to agree over whatever they want. For its part, Lebanon can not endorse their resettlement for known demographic reasons, and this is
stipulated in the Lebanese constitution…
 
Q: What is your comment on the recent Israeli movements toward Lebanon? What about the Shebaa Farms and the negotiations with Syria?
 
Siniora: Lebanon has suffered too much from the Israeli invasions for 60 years, in addition to the repeated attacks and incursions. But because of the Resistance’s sacrifices, Israel withdrew from the lands it occupied, except for the Shebaa Farms.
 
Q: But the United Nations regards these farms as Syrian?
 
Siniora: The Shebaa Farms are Lebanese lands, but there is no demarcation of borders between Lebanon and Syria…But when Israel occupied the Golan Heights, it knew Shebaa was Lebanese land, but it gradually took it over, and the United Nations considered these lands a Syrian possession. Lebanon insisted these farms were Lebanese, and Syria announced it so, but Israel and the United Nations still consider
them Syrian territories…
 
Q: Will there be any [peace] talks between Lebanon and Israel?
 
Siniora: No, Lebanon will not engage in bilateral talks with Israel.
 
Q: What if Israel withdrew?
 
Siniora: Lebanon abides by the Arab initiative, but it will not hold bilateral talks with Israel even if Israel withdraws from Shebaa.
 
Q: Why? What about Syria, which holds peace talks with Israel today?
 
Siniora: The Lebanese situation is delicate. Syria might carry out negotiations, but the Lebanese position in this regard is sensitive.

Lebanon is a country of minorities, and the Palestinian refugees should not stay in it. If Israel withdraws, we will go back to the truce agreement that was also stipulated by the Taif Accord and the seven-point plan. But bilateral talks are impossible now…