LEBANON CRISIS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 November 1943, Page 5

LEBANON CRISIS

PRESIDENT’S RETURN

FRENCH CONDITIONS OUTLINED (Rec. 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 22. The President of Lebanon, Bechara El Khoury, and members of the Government released after being under arrrest were received with an enthusiastic" demonstration when they ■entered Beirut this afternoon, says Reuter’s Beirut correspondent. A huge crowd gathered at the Presidential residence. The President urged them to remain calm and assured them that Lebanon’s independence was not threatened. Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent declares the President must now negotiate with General Catroux on measures “for the rapid re-establish-ment of constitutional life,” which means Government and Parliament. The French National Committee laid down two conditions, firstly, the President must choose new Ministers. Secondly, there will be no fresh Parliamentary elections. Ministers who are not reinstated were appointed by the President. They have not so far as is known tendered their resignations to the President. The President might, firstly, refuse to appoint a new Government, and secondly, dismiss the Government' and appoint a new set of Ministers, which would inevitably involve him in conflict when Parliament is revived. POSITION STILL GRAVE (Recd. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 22. The British view 'in Cairo is that the measures taken in Lebanon are likely to be unsatisfactory to the Lebanese, and world opinion, says the Exchange Telegraph’s Cairo correspondent. The position is still potentially grave, but the British authorities are doing all they can. Nahas Pasha telegraphed to the Lebanese Premier his congratulations on release, assuring him that Egypt and the entire Arab world are by Lebanon’s side in its struggle for freedom. dignity and independence. STRIKE CONTINUED

LONDON, Nov. 22.

Reuter’s Jerusalem correspondent says: In Lebanon it is reported that a ‘general strike is continuing in all towns. The strike has now lasted twelve days. TEL AVIV RIOTS "LONDON, Nov. 22. Eleven British police and twentyone Jewish residents have been injured in week-end clashes, in rel Aviv, the Jewish city and port m Palestine and the clashes have resulted from demonstrations against the suspension of Hebrew newspapers, and protest meetings on the Lebanese Cl The British United Press correspondent states: At Tel Aviv, police drew their batons to disperse a mob who were attacking, the Government officers and the Jewish Guards. Eight civilians were injured 111 the baton charges, after the mob made attacks on the police. Stones hurled by the mob injured seven police. Windows in the Government offices were broken. and rooms were set afire by boys, who threw lighted petrolsoaked rags into buildings. UNREST INFRANCE

LONDON, November 22. The Vichy radio announced that over 3100 persons have been arrested in France in the past fortnight, on charges of disturbing public ordei. The Vichy police arrested 148 terrorists in the same period for assault and acts of sabotage.

PETAIN’S HEALTH

LONDON. November 22.

The Petain mystery deepened when the Vichy radio, after the Berlin radio’s announcement that a heart attack prevented him broadcasting on November 13, brought him to the microphone. Petain, in a clear, strong voice, said: “I only learned I rem tho newspapers 1 am ill. Some sources say I cannot walk and others that I am‘paralysed.” Then Petain and all present began io laugh. The announcer remarked that Petain’s visitors were “struck by his healthy appearance.”