A delegation of Islamist groups in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh visited the headquarters of the commander of National Palestinian Security Sunday, in the first meeting of Fatah and Islamists leaders in the camp for many years.

The visit came at the initiative of the head of the Islamic Jihad Movement, Sheikh Jamal Khattab, and the leader of Usbat al-Ansar, Abu Tarik Saadi, both of whom participated in the talks with the Palestinian security chief, Sobhi Abu Arab, and other officials.

According to Palestinian sources, the aim of the meeting was to strengthen the relationship between the leaders of Islamist groups and Fatah, as well as bolster security in the camp and the surrounding area and create a mechanism to resolve disputes.

Last year saw fighting in the refugee camp between Islamist forces and Fatah members.

According to sources, the officials agreed to form a joint committee of four leaders from Fatah and Islamist groups who would coordinate to respond to security incidents, and would supervise a hotline to receive tips and complaints on any problem that could harm the stability of the camps or upset the relationship between the two sides.

The sources said the panel would not be a substitute for the Follow-up Committee of Palestinian factions in the camp, but would facilitate the committee’s work in the event of an emergency.

Other sources said that the meeting took place with the blessing of the Fatah movement in Lebanon and that both the head of the Palestinian Armed Struggle Brig. Mahmoud Issa, known as Lino, and the head of Fatah’s military command in Lebanon, Maj. Gen. Munir al-Maqdah, were informed of the gathering.

The sources said top Palestinian official Azzam al-Ahmad chose Abu Arab to supervise the mission of direct communication between Islamists and Fatah in order to strengthen Abu Arab’s position, since he is the head of the highest Palestinian security body in Lebanon and because he has distanced himself from internal Fatah disputes.

Following the meeting, Abu Arab stressed the importance of communication between the two sides.

“Together we will form one front to bury and destroy the beginnings of all strife, and those causing strife, who are attempting to drag the camp into the abyss. We will overcome all difficulties, tension or conspiracy against our unity.”

For his part, Khattab said the visit was “to confirm cooperation and communication in order to preserve the camp’s security and stability and the interests of the residents,” and described rumors that Al-Qaeda was present inside the camp as “lies aiming to portray the camp as a hotbed of terrorists.”

The spokesperson of Usbat al-Ansar, Sheikh Abu Sharif Akel, said that the security events recently witnessed were a “brief storm that is now over and that everyone who was betting on fighting between Islamist forces and Fatah were betting on a mirage and there will be no new Nahr al-Bared.”

A follow-up meeting is to be held during the week at Al-Nour Mosque, the camp headquarters of the Islamic Jihad Movement.