FRANCE AND THE LEVANT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 7

FRANCE AND THE LEVANT

BRITISH CLARIFICATION OF ISSUES

Rec. noon,

RUGBY, June 23,

The situation in ■< the Levant is clarified in a statement issued by the British Government which says:—r "The fundamental issue is not one of Anglo-French relations, Taut rather the question of what are to be the future relations between France and the Levant States. As the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have explained, the British Government has endorsed General de Gaulle's promise of independence to Syria and. Lebanon,' but the intervention of British troops became imperative because local events in Syria seemed likely to disturb the whole of the Middle East and hamper the Allied war effort. The instructions given to the Commander-in-Chief of _ the Middle East Forces by the British Government were to intervene with a view to the restoration and maintenance of order pending some solution of the situation in the Levant States through diplomatic action. In the execution of »these orders, British troops occupied the main centres, where fighting was taking place .or threatening to start. When order had been restored,to some degree, it was found necessary that French units which had been actively engaged in fighting in certain towns where actual conflict had taken place should be evacuated. This measure was essential in order to remove a cause tor possible further clashes. .As .the French civilians remaining in these towns were in danger of their lives, they also were evacuated. RESTORATION OF CIVIL AUTHORITY.

Now that the" main disorders have been suppressed in those towns where the disturbances occurred, it is intended that the civil authorities should resume at the earliest moment as great a measure, as is. possible of responsibility for maintaining law and order throughout those particular towns and the country "in general.. The Syrian and Lebanese Governments are primarily responsible for the maintenance of order within their territories In the event of disturbances which cannot be dealt with by the forces at the disposal of the Government, the local British commander will be authorised to take such impartial action as is considered necessary to re-establish order and normal control through the civil authori"lt must be clearly understood that the intervention by British troops implies no intention on the part, of the British to supplant the French- a in Syria and Lebanon. The British authorities do not intend to prejudice in any way the final solution of the situation in the Levant States. The British military forces will not be used otherwise than impartially, and if they have to intervene further to prevent disturbances in the interests of our efforts or that of the Allied Nations the British commanders will, take action against anyone responsible] for creating such disturbances." — 8.0. W.