LEBANESE CONFLICT Egypt warns Syria as troops control highway

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34128, 14 April 1976, Page 21

LEBANESE CONFLICT Egypt warns Syria as troops control highway

Z P A.-Reuter — Copyright DEIR ZANOUN (Lebanon*. April 13. Syrian soldiers, supported by tanks, have occupied the Lebanese town of Deir Zanoun to control the main border highway, and President Assad of Syria has said that he is prepared to move his forces further into Lebanon “to protect any victim of aggression.” “We have complete freedom of movement.” the Syrian President told a political rally in Damascus in a broadcast speech monitored in Beirut. “We have the capability to take any position vve want.” he said. President Assad’s tough statement, coupled with his troops’ advance along the border is the most serious indication since the Lebanese civil war began a year ago that Syria is prepared to stage an all-out intervention if the strife continues.

“Both Moslems and Chris-1 tians in Syria are ready to move into Lebanon to defend the oppressed against all aggressors, whatever their religious affiliations,” President Assad said. “I want the bloodthirsty to understand that nothing wi’l embarrass us. We are in favour of an end to the fighting, and against anyone escalating it. or encouraging; its continuation.”

His declaration brought an immediate warning from Egypt that it would not

allow any action which might lead to the liquidation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation in Lebanon. P.L.O. guerrillas have fought side by side with Moslem Leftists battling against Christian militias in the Lebanese power struggle, although the P.L.O leader, Mr Yasser Arafat, has himself appeared to be trying to remain neutral-

The Middle East News Agency in Cairo has indicated that the Egyptian warning was issued after

President Sadat, who is on a State visit to Austria, received an urgent message from Mr Arafat, saying that the P.L.O. was in grave danger.

The agency said Mr Arafat feared that there would be efforts to liquidate the P.L.O. in favour of the Syrian-based Saiqa Palestinian guerrillas, who have moved into Lebanon to try to enforce the cease-fire negotiated by President Assad with the opposing Lebanese factions.

The news agency did not say what steps Egypt might take, but it noted that Mr Sadat, who is due to return to Cairo today, has summoned the members of the Egyptian National Security Council to a meeting tomorrow.

Egyptian-Syrian relations have been strained since President Assad condemned the Sinai disengagement pact signed by Egypt and Israel last year. In Tripoli, the Libyan leader. Colonel Gadaffi, pledged Libya’s aid to “the Lebanese nationalist forces.” Although the Libyan leader did not specify what he meant by “nationalist forces.” it is assumed that he was referring to the Moslem Leftists.

Close watch by Israel

> In Jerusalem, the Israeli ‘Foreign Minister (Mr Yigal sAllon) told Parliament that Israel was watching the developments in Lebanon closely, and was “taking the necessary steps to ensure its own security.” ■‘‘Especially now. when serious developments and changes may take place in Lebanon, we must be careful of our statements and our announcements,” he said. Presenting a motion for a debate on the Lebanese crisis, a Likud member, Mr Hurweitz, said that a Syrian take-over of Lebanon would be worse for Israel than such a move by the Palestine Liberation Organisation, since Syria was a strong power whose final aim was to destroy Israel. The evening newspaper, "Maariv,” says that Israel has increased its alert since the infiltration into Lebanon of large Syrian forces, including infantry, armour, and artillery. Saiqa statement Syria’s main Palestinian ally, Mr Suheir Mohsen, justified Syria’s action against the Left today in an interview with a Beirut English - language, ■ ; weekly. I Mr Mohsen, who is the head of the Saiqa commando!

organisation, said that Syria simply wanted to avoid a continuation of the sectarian warfare in Lebanon, “ft did everything to thwart rhe Christian Right wing when it tried to launch such a war, but last month the Left followed Socialist leader, Mr Kamal Jumblatt, in trying to; do the same thing," he is quoted as saying Heavy overnight fighting ■in Beirut quietened down [during yesterday when political leaders began con- | saltations to find a successor [to President Franjieh, whose ' resignation the Left has deImanded.

[ Neither Left nor Right 'displayed great anxiety ! about the overnight battles, which at times involved the use of artillery, but sources close to both sides say that the continued fighting must pose a threat of greater outside involvement in Lebanon.

The fighting was renewed after the Left had announced that it was extending its 10day truce until the end of the month, to give more time for efforts to seek a political solution to the crisis.