LEBANON CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24748, 23 November 1943, Page 3

LEBANON CRISIS

PRESIDENT REINSTATED POSITION NOW EASED RELEASE OF MINISTERS (Kccd. 11 ..~i p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 'J'_' The President of Lebanon, M. Alfred Nakkache, has been reinstated and the imprisoned Premier, Iliad el Solh, and two other Ministers released.

A communique issued by the French Committee of National Liberation states: "The proposal made by General Catroux for the reinstatement of the Lebanese President was adopted. The Lebanese Ministers have been liberated. Genoral Helleu, French delegate in Lebanon, has been requested to proceed to Algiers. Complete order reigns in Lebanon." The communique added that the committee a dinned its decision to enter into negotiations with the Government of the Syria Republic —negotiations which were necessary to reconcile the position of France as mandatory Power with the independent regime she promised to the mandated territories of the .Middle East in the proclamation of 1941. As soon as constitutional order is again established in Lebanon negotiations would be opened with the Beirut Government. Preliminary Solution After the issue of the French communique the National Commissioner of Information, M Henri Bonnet, made a statement. He said: "We think the decisions should satisfy all parties and will lead to a settlement from the local and Allied viewpoints. We regard the committee's decisions as a satisfactory preliminary solution leading to a final broad settlement." Asked whether General Helleu's programme would be proceeded with, M. Bonnet replied: "Surely." He added that no new general election would be held. The President would choose new Ministers. M. Bonnet emphasised that the committee's solution was not due to outside pressure. It was hoped that the decisions satisfied the British. The French delegate-general, M. Edde, has been recalled, to Algiers. British Minister Informed The French Committee's decision was immediately communicated to the British Minister in Algiers, Mr. H. Macmillan, and the United States Minister, .Mr. R. Murphy. The Cairo correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company reported earlier that the Lebanese Parliament met secretly on Saturday night and decided to wait 24 hours for the release ol the arrested Ministers, after which, if the leaders had not been released, they would take action against* the French.

The French action has been greeted in London as a first step toward a return to normal political conditions. At the same time it is pointed out that the liberation of the Ministers without their reinstatement does not restore the status quo. Tlie French action should, however, have created a favourable atmosphere in which to proceed to the next stage, the re-establishment of constitutional government. Until this has been done it. is thought in London that public opinion in the Middle East will still remain uneasy. Sagacity and Statesmanship The Times, in an editorial, says that in taking preliminary steps to end the crisis in Lebanon the French National Committee acted with sagacity and statesmanship. There is now a fair prospect of a return to negotiation on a basis that shall satisfy the reasonable claims and expectations of Lebanon in accordance with the pledges already given.

British policy from the first has been concerned with the danger threatening tlie political stability and military security of the whole of the Middle Fast, the newspaper adds. With that menace to Allied fortunes, including the fortunes of France, in sight it has been and still is the duty of the British Government to insist upon a just and prompt solution. King Karonk of Egypt has sent a message to the President of the Lebanon congratulating him on his reinstatement.

PALESTINE CLASHES DISTURBED WEEK-END (Recti. r_>.a.m.) I/ONPON, Nov. 22 Eleven British policemen and 2] Jewish residents were injured in weekend clashes jn Tel Aviv, Palestine, resulting from demonstrations against the suspension of Hebrew newspapers and protest meetings on the Lebanese crisis, says the British United Press. The police drew their batons to disperse a mob attacking the Government oflices and Jewish guards. Eight civilians were injured in baton charges after the mob had attacked the police. Stones injured seven policemen. Windows of the Government offices were broken and three rooms were set on fire by boys who threw lighted petrol soaked bags into the buildings. Renter's correspondent in Jerusalem says the general strike in Lebanon is reported to bo continuing. The strike has now lasted 12 days. TURKEY'S OBLIGATIONS ISTANBUL, Nov. 21 Following the publication of the report that the Foreign Minister, M. IMenemenciogln, informed the British Government that Turkey is ready to comply with the Anglo-Turkish Mutual Aid Treaty, the well-known Turkish publicist, M. Yalchin. writing in the newspaper Tanin, says: "To believe that we are far from all kinds of obligations and will never enter the war, as though no alliance had ever been concluded, js a grave mistake. It is always possible for treaty conditions to be fulfilled and for us to be obliged to ! do our duty and stand beside our. Allies."