Deal or Victory in Nahr El Bared?

The Lebanese Defense Minister, Elias El Murr, declared a short while ago the end of military operation in Nahr El Bared, indicating that all Fath El Islam positions were destroyed.

Is this really the end of Fah El Islam or is this announcement the result of an under the table deal?

The following facts make the Defense Minister's declaration suspect:

• The latest information on the military operations that were available earlier today indicate that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) were still mopping up terrorist positions in the "New Camp" and had not entered the "Old Camp" yet.
  
  
• Syria declared it is threatening to shut its border with Lebanon. This is a typical Syrian move when it needs to pressure Lebanon into submission. In the absence of a peace treaty with Israel, Lebanon will remain hostage to using Syria as its only land passageway.
  
  
• In a shocking reversal, El Murr declared that the government had no proof of a relationship between Syria and Fath El Islam.
  
  
• The Palestinian mediators who have been trying to negotiate a cease-fire in the "camp" stated that Fath El Islam was declaring a cease-fire.

A deal that would allow the leaders of Fath El Islam to escape the Lebanese justice system would be a severe blow to the Lebanese Army who suffered 75 dead and more than 150 wounded in the fighting to eradicate the terrorists from Nahr El Bared. Such a deal would signal to other terrorist groups that the Lebanese government is weak, and lacks the resolve to control the country.

Finally, it is worth noting that Elias El Murr was, like his father, a staunch Syrian ally before the Cedars Revolution. He is also "President" Lahoud's brother-in-law.