Mahmoud Abbas declares from Lebanon ‘era of weapons outside state' over

BEIRUT — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Beirut on Wednesday for a three-day official visit that is expected to focus on the issue of disarming Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, as the state seeks to extend its authority across the Lebanese territory.

Abbas is heading a high-level delegation that includes  Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary Azzam al-Ahmad, PLO member Ahmed Majdalani and PLO's UN observer Riyad Mansour, among other top Palestinian officials. He landed at the Rafic Hariri International Airport Wednesday afternoon, where he was received by Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji.

He then headed to the presidential palace in Baabda where he met with President Joseph Aoun.

The two sides released a joint statement following the talks, affirming the “fraternal” relations between the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples and emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation on various levels.