Beirut militia remains in charge
NZPA Beirut The Israeli inquiry into the massacre of Palestinians in Beirut has had no detectable effect on the power of the Lebanese Christian militiamen who. according to almost all reports, did the killing. The “Lebanese forces" militia is firmly entrenched as Lebanon's strongest private army and is linked closely. if somewhat uneasily, with the country’s President. Amin Gemayel. It has denied playing any part in the massacre. Soon after the massacre came to light, Lebanon’s Muslim and Leftist groups, the Christians’ traditional enemies, made it clear that they were not going to make a big issue of the events. Of Lebanon’s many newspapers. only the Communist “An-Nida” mentioned in its maip headline today that the “Lebanese forces,” which are dominated by the Falangist Party militia, were accused of direct responsibility for the massacre in September. The rest merely led their front pages with reports that the inquiry had demanded the resignation or dismissal of the Israeli Defence Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon.
By the time the slaughter in the Beirut refugee camps took place, the invading Israelis had broken the power of the Muslims and Leftists. They had disarmed their militia groups and forced out their main allies, the Palestinian guerrillas.
Muslim and even official Palestinian indignation was directed almost entirely at the Israelis.
The only Lebanese politician of any stature to call for action against the Christian militia has been Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Druse Muslims who have been fighting almost dailybattles against the Christians in the mountains above Beirut. Mr Jumblatt has said that the “Lebanese forces” are a “bunch of criminals” and should be put on trial.
The “Lebanese forces” have declined to comment on the Israeli inquiry’s findings. A spokesman said: “We consider it an Israeli internal affair ... we stick to our initial position, which is-to wait for the conclusions of the Lebanese inquiry.”
The official Lebanese investigation has been little heard of since it was set up in October. The Government has given no indication of when it will publish its report.
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Press, 11 February 1983, Page 6
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343Beirut militia remains in charge Press, 11 February 1983, Page 6
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