By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : The Lebanese Army has taken control of a Fatah Al-Islam stronghold in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr El-Bared, north of the country, while efforts continued to evacuate families of militiamen from the area.
The local media said army units continued to besiege militia remnants in several areas of the camp, including Abu Ammar shelter, one of four major locations being used by the armed men.
Moreover, it said soldiers arrested a militant, bringing the total number of armed men captured since the battles began on May 20 to 111.
The army made considerable advancements Thursday, it added, noting that more army ships were patrolling the shores opposite the camp to prevent militants from escaping by sea after several were caught while attempting to do so over the past two days.
Confrontations are ongoing between soldiers and militants, the media said.
Meanwhile, efforts for evacuating families of militiamen from the camp continued, and Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hajji, a member of the Palestinian Clerics Union, said army logistics were ready and a call was awaited from Fatah Al-Islam to go ahead with the evacuation.
Some 50 children and 25 women are expected to be evacuated from the camp later Friday.