The head of the Lebanese Army has categorically ruled out any connections between Fateh Al Islam and Syria.

The Army is currently fighting the group in Nahr Al Bared.

General Michel Suleiman also denies the group has links with the Hariri government:

"[Fateh Al Islam] is not sponsored by Syrian intelligence, nor it is backed by Lebanese government circles. It is a branch for al-Qaida which had been planning to use Lebanon and Palestinian camps as safe haven to launch its operations in Lebanon and abroad."

In recent months, many government figures have stopped accusing Syria of supporting Fateh Al Islam, since it became clear most of the members are Saudi. The government has also started blaming Al Qaeda - and not Syria - for the bomb attacks on Beirut.