BRITISH AND AMERICAN INTERCESSION

Evening Star, Issue 25495, 28 May 1945, Page 5

BRITISH AND AMERICAN INTERCESSION

EVENTS MAY OVERTAKE DIPLOMATIC PROCESSES ARAB WORLD ALERT {Rec. 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. Britain and America are seeking a peaceful way out of the.serious situation in Syria and Lebanon, where the people have been angered by the arrival of French reinforcements, and fear an attempt by Franco to take away their independence. The situation, however, may move too swiftly for diplomatic processes. Azzam Bey, secretary-general of the Arab League, said in Cairo to-day that he hoped the French leaders would realise that a policy of violence w r ould not serve the true aims of France. He said the anger of the Syrian people avid their leaders was increasing. "I am confident France's leaders will realise the present policy does not serve the true aims of France," he stated. " Violence will not honour her. especially if she were to use it against unarmed countries. The council of the Arab League is meeting in Cairo in the first week of June to discuss the question in an endeavour to find a way to security and peace, Syrians and Lebanese are asking help i of the Arab counties in support or their rightful cause. J am confident they will receive the assistance they are seeking—that, it will come from the whole Arab nation, kings, Governments, emirs, and peoples alike. Paris radio quotes General de Gaulle as saying" that French reinforcements for the Levant have been grossly exaggerated. Only three battalions have been despatched to Syria and Lebanon, of which two were relief battalions Their -equivalent of French troops had already started on the homeward journey to France. The battalions had not reached the Levant.