Christian leaders try for peace in Beirut

Press, 20 February 1989, Page 8

Christian leaders try for peace in Beirut

NZPA-Reuter Beirut Christian leaders seeking to avert a major confrontation between militiamen and regular Army troops can hardly achieve a long-term truce, political sources say. A committee of 25 Christian deputies and leaders of political parties met yesterday at the Christian Maronite patriarchate in north-east Beirut to discuss efforts to mediate between the Lebanese Forces militia and the Lebanese Army. “The maximum this committee can achieve is to freeze the tension and avert a devastating war in Christian areas. The wounds are too deep to be healed in a short period of time,” said a former Christian minister. At least 57 people were killed and 130 wounded in fierce fighting between the L.F. and Army troops loyal to Major-General Michel Aoun, who also heads a military interim Government. “Now all what we seek is to consolidate the ceasefire and bring back peace to the people ... our hope is great,” one of the committee members said after meeting MajorGeneral Aoun for two hours. Major-General Aoun, whose troops fought with the 12,000-strong L.F. over the control of Christian east Beirut, rejected Church mediation and threatened to crush the L.F. unless it met his demands. He told the Leftist “asSafir” newspaper, "Either our proposals are carried out quickly and peacefully within a certain deadline or there will be a final and decisive showdown.” On Friday, he said the L.F. must leave Beirut, stop levying taxes and close down its so-called National Development Council (N.D.C.), which is involved in education, economic and industrial projects.