BEIRUT, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Jordanian security official told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that al-Qaida representatives are seeking to recruit Palestinians in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in south Lebanon, local Naharnet website reported Friday.

    The official was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity that "Al-Qaida representatives are in Lebanon at present, and are trying to contact these groups based in Ain al-Hilweh."

    Al-Qaida operatives have "headed from Iraq to Lebanon last year, including 25 Jordanians and a number of Yemenis, Saudi Arabians and others holding European citizenship," the report said.

    The Jordanian official said that some members of Fatah al-Islam have managed to escape from Nahr al-Barid camp in northern Lebanon, and re-based in Ain al-Hilweh camp in the south.

    He said al-Qaida fighters pose a threat to "sectarian stability" in Lebanon "in light of Lebanon's week security agencies, and Hezbollah's major influence."

    He expressed fear that al-Qaida members, who are Sunni Muslims, might target Hezbollah or other Shiite groups in Lebanon.