SIDON, Lebanon: A Fatah commander insisted Sunday that a military graduation ceremony held Sunday was unconnected to security measures in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh, calling it a “regular” event.

Brigadier Mounir Maqdah organized the ceremony for 150 men and women who completed a military training course in the Palestinian camp.

According to Maqdah, the course reflected the right of Palestinians to resist Israeli occupation and the American policy in the region, as well as any attempts to naturalize Palestinian refugees in their host countries.

“The American-Zionist project targets the entire Arab region … we are part of this country and part of the equation of the army, the people, and the resistance,” Maqdah said.

When asked whether the training was a reaction to security measures taking place in Ain al-Hilweh, Maqdah said “on the contrary, the training is meant to support [these measures] as the interest of our Palestinian people lies in controlling security in the camps.”

Following statements made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit to Lebanon over the summer, discussions are under way in the Palestinian camps to bring weapons held by Palestinians under control, in coordination with the Lebanese authorities.