Details of the interrogation of detained Fatah al-Islam terrorists unveiled plans to seize control of a "big section" of northern Lebanon, to "destabilize" the country by shelling government institutions and business facilities, and to attack U.N. peacekeepers. Interrogation also showed that a large number of Fatah al-Islam militants were "true Jihadis," or holy warriors, who were under the impression that they were going to fight in Iraq.It said most of the non-Lebanese militants had illegally crossed into Lebanon from Syria overland, adding that a few had entered the country via Beirut airport. The objective behind attacking U.N. peacekeepers was an effort to hinder implementation of U.N. resolutions, particularly 1701.
It is believed that following Arab, European and U.S. pressure on Syria to stop exporting jihad fighters to Iraqi, hundreds of holy warriors were sent to Lebanon under Shaker al-Abssi's Fatah al-Islam umbrella after his mysterious release from Damascus along with a few aids. Grilling of the detainees also showed that those who came illegally from Syria had infiltrated via a border area controlled by Ahmed Jibril's Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine -General Command, which is backed and financed by Syria. An Nahar said Fatah al-Islam fighters had also received paramilitary training at PFLP-GC bases along the Lebanese border with Syria.
The circumstances of Abssi's release and the way the Syrian-backed Fatah-Intifada, or uprising, had facilitated Abssi's movements, in addition to a number of other factors, showed that a well-planned, premeditated plot could not have been made without the knowledge and blessing of Fatah-Intifada. Evidence that "direct contacts" between some Fatah al-Islam leaders and high-ranking Syrian Intelligence officers also supported accusations that Syria's security service used Fatah al-Islam for political and security purposes in Lebanon.
Cross-examination also showed that Fatah al-Islam was made up of "two main components":
1 - External, which includes Syrians and Palestinians living in Syria and were tasked with missions outside their bases like the Ein Alaq bombings.
2 - Internal, where militants were confined to the refugee camp and not allowed to leave.