Beirut security talks today

Press, 23 August 1984, Page 10

Beirut security talks today

NZPA-Reuter Beirut The Lebanese Cabinet meets today to consider a security plan for the hills around Beirut, but Cabinet sources said Ministers might delay a decision until after a projected meeting between the Syrian and Lebanese presidents. The Cabinet is expected to discuss a possible complaint to the United Nations about Israeli practices in occupied areas of southern Lebanon. In spite of the successful implementation of a peace plan in greater Beirut last month, the “National Unity” Government has failed to agree on the necessary measures to disengage forces south-east of the city and deploy the Army throughout the area. Ministerial sources said that the President, Mr Amin Gemayel, might meet the Syrian President, Mr Hafez al-Assad, during the weekend to talk about the plan, but there has been no official announcement of this. Some Cabinet sources said they did not expect approval of the security plan until after that meeting. However, the Christian ministers, Camille Chamoun and Joseph Skaff, said in separate statements yesterday that the Government might approve at least some parts of the plan, Beirut radio reported. Two leading Muslim ministers, Nabih Berri and Walid Jumblatt, said that political reforms should be discussed simultaneously with the implementation of the plan. Less contentious is a proEosal to protest to the United Nations Security Council about Israeli practices in south Lebanon. Mr

Berri said the Cabinet would ask the council to intervene. The Israelis, who occupied southern Lebanon two years ago, have closed roads linking the area with other parts of the country for three days for security reasons. They say tougher measures are needed to prevent guerrilla attacks on their forces. The road closings will be followed by new restrictions obliging passengers and goods to be transferred at crossing points to other vehicles approved by the Israelis. A powerful explosion shook the south Lebanese port of Sidon at dawn yesterday. The police said that the blast was near Israeli positions at Mar Elias Hill, east of the city. Israeli soldiers searched the area but the cause of the blast was not immediately known and there was no word on casualties. Meanwhile in the northern port of Tripoli, heavy fighting between rival Muslim : militias subsided last night. Lebanese radio stations said at least 25 people were killed and 75 wounded in heavy street fighting and artillery duels. Abdullah Babepti, head of a group of Islamic organisations in Tripoli, said 60 people were killed and 200 wounded, but this could not be confirmed. The Prime Minister, Mr Rashid Karami, has repeatedly tried to arrange a peace plan for Tripoli similar to a Syrian-brokered pact implemented in Beirut last month. Syrian troops, who control much of northern Lebanon and surround Tripoli, did not intervene in the fighting.