International Israel, Syria ‘allies’ in Lebanon, ‘Time’ report says

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 8

International Israel, Syria ‘allies’ in Lebanon, ‘Time’ report says

NZPA-Reuter New York “Time” magazine said yesterday that the Israeli Defence Minister iMr Shimon Peres) had crossed into Lebanon four times between May and August for talks with Lebanese Christian leaders and moderate Moslems, and on one trip had been accompanied by the Israeli Prime Minister (Mr "Yitzhak Rabin).

The Americar weekly said the Israeli leaders had met the unnamed Lebanese leaders to map out an understanding on how to eliminate Palestinian guerrilla bases in southern Lebanon. It added that Israel had begun training Lebanese in tank warfare and would send them back with ?8 tanks. “Time" said the arrang ment, which is limited to the Palestinian guerrilla issue, put the Israelis on th* same side as the Syrians, who months ago shifted from support of the Moslems in Lebanon to active intervention or the side of the Christians. As a result, Damascus had withdrawn most of its

offensive military power from the Golan Heights. "Time” said. It said that under the arrangement, Israel had: Maintained a naval block-

ade of several Leftist-con-trolled Lebanese ports, including Sidon and Tyre. Gained de facto control over so-called Fatahland, a i strip of territory in southern . Lebanon previously dorniI nated by Palestinian gueri rillas. 1 Begun training a battalion > .of mixed Lebanese Christian and Moslem troops in tank warfare. When the training i is finished, they would be i sent back to Lebanon with 38 American-made Sherman tanks, the magazine said. I The Right-wing Phalangist ■ leader, Mr Pierre Germyel, ; has left Beirut for Damascus for talks on ending the civil war, in w'hich fighting on I the main fronts has woriisened.

His visit comes seven days after talks between the | President-elect (Mr Elias Sarkis) and President Assad of Syria. The civil war has now

been raging for almost 17 months.

Radio stations have reported increased fighting on four major fronts. More than [l4O people were said to have died, and more than 180 wounded in the weekend battles. The heaviest fighting was reported in the north Mein mountain region, east of the capital where Right-wing forces were trying to retaKe i two traditionally Christian towns. Phalangist radio reported that President Suleiman Franjieh had formed a “national front” in the north of the country. This would group mountain fighters posted round the besieged Leftist stronghold of Tripoli. Fighting was also reported in the Jezzin mountain area south of the capital, in Tripoli, and in Beirut itself.