P.M. offers to resign as savage blitz hits Beirut

Press, 4 April 1989, Page 8

P.M. offers to resign as savage blitz hits Beirut

NZPA-Reuter Beirut Beirut has suffered one of its most savage blitzes in 14. years of civil war, drawing an appeal from Lebanon’s Muslim Prime Minister, Selim Hoss, for an immediate halt to the bloodshed.

Troops loyal to the Christian army commander, General Michel Aoun, who has denounced Mr Hoss’s Government as illegitimate and demanded that he stand down, traded artillery fire on Sunday with Syrian troops and their Muslim and Leftist militia allies.

Security and hospital sources said 14 people were killed and 44

wounded in the latest artillery duels. Mr Hoss, who heads a Syrian-backed Government based in Muslim west Beirut, suggested that he and General Aoun should resign if it would help end the battles.

“I plead with all those holding guns to have mercy on people and cease fire immediately,” he said in a statement broadcast by radio stations. “Stop, stop this massacre.”

At least 117 people have been killed and 454 wounded since March 14 in the artillery duels which began after General Aoun imposed a

blockade on ports that are the lifelines of Lebanon’s Muslim militias.

Mr Hoss, a Muslim moderate, said he and General Aoun should act to spare Lebanon, as its existence was threatened. “Lebanon is more precious than any of us. It is more precious than those hungry for power. All posts become worthless for the sake of serving Lebanon.” General Aoun, who has said he is prepared to see Beirut destroyed in the battle to oust Syria’s 25,000 troops from Lebanon, was appointed by the former President, Amin Gemayel, to head a military Cabinet.