Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he rejects the idea that Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon might be forced to stay there permanently.

He emphasized that all Palestinians should have the right to return home.

When it comes to armed Palestinian factions, however, Abbas says he supports any decisions the Lebanese government makes on how to deal with militants outside refugee camps.

Abbas spoke to reporters Thursday in Lebanon's capital, Beirut.

About 400,000 Palestinian refugees and their descendants live in a dozen refugee camps in Lebanon, which were set up when Israel was created in 1948.

Many Lebanese also oppose the permanent resettlement of Palestinian refugees, fearing they would tip the country's delicate sectarian balance.