Kidnappings in Lebanon distress P.M.

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34000, 14 November 1975, Page 13

Kidnappings in Lebanon distress P.M.

<N Z P A -Reuter—Copyright/ BEIRUT. November 13rhe Lebanese Prime Minister (Mr Karamij lias expressed his “revulsion, great distress and shame” at a growing wave of kidnappings.

The abductions by rival Christian and Moslem gunmen reached a new peak yesterday when police said that about 200 people had been seized in the capital. Beirut Radio said that most of them had been released later, but at least 11 bodies were discovered in the streets. I Speaking to reporters after! a Cabinet session, Mr Karami appealed for an end to the; kidnappings and said: “1 do! in fact feel revulsion, great; distress and shame at what! is being done by ignorant and; criminal elements who do not realise the outcome of their acts.” Shooting was reported last night in the eastern suburbs of Sin-el Fit, Nabaa, and Shi-

yah. but otherwise the latest; 10-day-okl cease-fire re-i mained effective. The Associated Press re-| ported that security forces over the last week have dismantled most of the sandbag barricades that had turned Beirut into a battleground and armed gangs no longer roam the streets at will But I the militias of both sides still outnumber and outgun[ i security police, who would be I hard-put to cope with an-’ i other explosion. | There are widespread fears i the city might drift into newfighting unless the Government moves quickly. And the Government remains paralysed until it can resolve the bitter quarrel between Left- ! ists pushing for change and Christian Rightists demanding more security and increased control over Palestine guerrillas. Abu Hassan, security chief for Mr Yasser Arafat’s Palestine Liberation Organisation, estimated that 10,000 people had been killed and 27,000 wounded in the seven months of strife. Other estimates put the death count at about 7000. Streets on the northern edge of the city were proclaimed unsafe because of the presence of armed men.