BEIRUT: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas restated his rejection of weapons in Palestinian camps in Lebanon ahead of his scheduled visit to seek support for Palestine’s bid for U.N. recognition.

“I’m against Palestinian weapons in Lebanon altogether because they serve no purpose on Lebanese territory,” Abbas said in an interview published Monday by local newspaper Al-Liwaa.

“We have informed previous [Lebanon] governments and we reiterate now that we will hand over weapons anytime you wish,” he said.

Earlier this month, clashes broke out at the Ain al-Hilweh camp in Lebanon between members of Fatah Movement and the Al-Qaeda-inspired Fatah al-Islam group, leaving six wounded. 

In the interview, Abbas expressed hope that Lebanon would “play an effective role” in his effort to win permanent U.N. membership status for a Palestinian state when it heads the U.N. Security Council in September.

In June, the Palestinian leadership decided to seek formal U.N. recognition of a state, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with east Jerusalem as its capital, as frustration grew with stalled peace talks.

Abbas thanked Lebanon for embracing the Palestinian cause and for all the services rendered to Palestinian refugees since the Nakba in 1949 during the interview, saying Palestinians will remain “guests” in Lebanon until their return to Palestine.

He also thanked President Michel Sleiman as well as Parliament and Cabinet for their approval of diplomatic ties with the Palestinian state and for the establishment of a Palestinian embassy in Lebanon.

Abbas, who arrives Tuesday afternoon, is expected to raise the Palestinian flag over the new embassy in Beirut Wednesday in the presence of Mikati who will host an iftar banquet in honor of the Palestinian president.

As well as Mikati, Abbas is also scheduled to meet Sleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri.