N. Korean arrested in Lebanon, charged with anti-U.S. plot
Friday, February 7, 2003
NICOSIA — A North Korean "extremist" has been arrested by authorities at the notorious Ein Hilwe Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.
The Fatah movement led by Yasser Arafat has arrested two men accused of having planned attacks against U.S. and British targets in Lebanon.
The plot was allegedly led by the North Korean who frequented the Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon which has been the focus of surveillance for suspected members of Al Qaida. Palestinian sources said Fatah agents also arrested a Syrian national suspected of being involved in the planned campaign.
The North Korean, identified as Jim Kim Su, was said to have planned attacks on unspecified British and U.S. interests throughout Lebanon in an attempt to stop a U.S.-led war against Iraq. Jim, who was found with $3,000, had visited Ein Hilwe several times recently. The Syrian detainee was identified as Assad Qaraan.
So far, the sources said, it is not clear whether the attack was sponsored by Al Qaida or Iraq. The North Korea and Syrian were handed over the Lebanese military for interrogation.
"He [North Korean] is an extremist and has told our interrogators that he intended to wage sabotage operations against American and British interests," a Fatah commander, identified only as Maj. Lino, said. "But it could not be established whether he is affiliated to Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaida or to Israel's Mossad secret service."
Lino said Qaraan was carrying four passports as well as Palestinian travel documents. The passports were issued by Indonesia, Jordan and Lebanon.
Fatah said the arrests took place on Monday and that the suspects were handed over to the Lebanese military on Wednesday. Lebanese authorities did not issue an immediate response to the report.
Western diplomatic sources said Ein Hilwe — with a population of 75,000 — has been a center for Al Qaida operations in Lebanon. About 100 Arab and other nationals are said to belong to the Al Qaida-linked Usbat Al Ansar group in the camp.
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