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Truce as women flee Lebanon camp Truce as women flee Lebanon camp
(about 3 hours later)
The families of Islamist militants, besieged by Lebanese troops for three months at a Palestinian refugee camp, have been evacuated, the military said. The families of Islamist militants, besieged by Lebanese troops for three months at a Palestinian refugee camp, have been granted safe passage out.
"The civilians, 26 women and 33 children, are in our custody," AFP quoted an army spokesman as saying. An army statement said 25 women and 38 children left the camp, adding that two of the children were taken to hospital.
Security sources say the evacuation deal may open the way for a final assault by troops, but the army has made predictions of victory before.Security sources say the evacuation deal may open the way for a final assault by troops, but the army has made predictions of victory before.
Nearly 300 people - mostly soldiers and militants - have died in the fighting.Nearly 300 people - mostly soldiers and militants - have died in the fighting.
Most of the 40,000 Palestinian refugees living in Nahr al-Bared, near Tripoli, fled in the weeks after the conflict started in May. Most of the 40,000 Palestinian refugees living in Nahr al-Bared camp, near the northern port city of Tripoli, fled in the weeks after the conflict started in May.
Final assaultFinal assault
A temporary truce was agreed between the military and the Fatah al-Islam militants to allow the civilians to leave the northern Nahr al-Bared camp. A temporary truce was agreed between the military and the Fatah al-Islam militants to allow the civilians to leave the camp.
The evacuees were received in an army-controlled area within the camp, where they were given food and water before boarding army buses to be taken for questioning, officials said. class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6676369.stm">Profile: Fatah al-Islam The evacuees were received in an army-controlled area within the camp, where they were given food and water.
Three military buses were seen leaving the camp. Those aboard were taken under heavy security to a military barracks for questioning.
Lebanon's military estimates that just 70 fighters remain inside the camp, down from 360 at the start of the violence.Lebanon's military estimates that just 70 fighters remain inside the camp, down from 360 at the start of the violence.
Correspondents say the evacuation may pave the way for the army to launch a final assault. In a statement, the army called on those left behind to surrender as soon as possible in return for "humanitarian treatment and a fair trial".
The army resumed shelling the Fatah al-Islam targets immediately after the civilians were cleared from the camp.
The Lebanese army has said it will not stop bombarding the camp until the militants surrender, something the gunmen have refused to do.The Lebanese army has said it will not stop bombarding the camp until the militants surrender, something the gunmen have refused to do.
Fatah al-Islam is a radical Palestinian splinter group believed to have links with al-Qaeda. Lebanese officials also say it has ties to Syrian intelligence.Fatah al-Islam is a radical Palestinian splinter group believed to have links with al-Qaeda. Lebanese officials also say it has ties to Syrian intelligence.
The fighting at the camp is the worst violence in Lebanon since the end of its civil war in 1990. It has added to the current political instability in the country.The fighting at the camp is the worst violence in Lebanon since the end of its civil war in 1990. It has added to the current political instability in the country.