Another 40 killed in Lebanon

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34009, 25 November 1975, Page 19

Another 40 killed in Lebanon

• V.Z.P.A.-Keuter—Copiiriffht > BEIRUT. November 24. Sporadic firing and explosions echoed through the centre of Beirut oxernight as Lebanese leaders prepared to meet again to try to find xvaxs of ending factional fighting in the country.

The Prime Minister (Mr Rashid Karami) has called on the 20-man[ committee for National Dialogue to reconvene today, and has said that he will be seeking "decisive action" from it. Another group which met last night, the higher coordination committee, which includes representatives of the warring factions and Government security officials, has failed to curb continuing violations of the cease-fire agreed upon by the different factions. The death toll for the last two days is about 40 killed land more than 100 wounded I —mostly victims of either [snipers or kidnappers—and [brings the death toll in the (three weeks since the latest [cease-fire to about 240. [ The fighting was by private armies of Christians and (Moslems. [ It was the thirteenth ceasefire to fail in eight months of I civil war. The cease-fire never even

[got off the ground, not for a [minute, said one discouraged ipoliceman. Each armed group I was acting on its own and I security forces are unable to ' exercise any control any - I where. i Christian and Moslem [neighbourhoods traded fire [with mortars, rockets and heavy machine guns, sometimes intensifying their barrages to cover raiding parties sent to kidnap hostages. Fires started by rocketpropelled grenades burned out of control in the central business district and the eastern and northern suburbs. In Beirut, on Sunday, only [one seaside residential area [and the fashionable Hamra (shopping district remained I untouched by the conflict, and even there most residents were too scared to venture [outdoors. Only 20 people showed up for Sunday worship in an Armenian church near the [central hotel district The priest did not make it [because of sniper fire, and a (layman conducted the ser- ! vice.