UNREST IN LEBANON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25386, 18 November 1943, Page 5

UNREST IN LEBANON

FRANCE'S JURIDICAL POSITION i STATEMENT BY DE GAULLE (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 16. “ France cannot renounce her obligations, and her juridical position is incontestable in the Lebanon,” declared General de Gaulle in a speech at Algiers. He added: “France cannot allow troubles prejudicing the Allies’ strategic position tp develop in the Lebanon. The situation there is well on the way to solution. The incident has not affected relations with Britain, who has interested herself as much as France in the Near East situation and the destiny of the Arab peoples. I have never wished that during the war France should break the alliance with her allies. France wants a constitutional situation established in the Lebanon. She cannot be suspected of endangering the liberty of the Lebanese, and she has watched with sympathy _ the Arab people's ideal of federation.” While the French spokesman in Cairo states that no Ihcidents have been reported in the Lebanon to-day, Reuter’s correspondent in Algiers quotes informed British circles as saying there is no sign of calm in the Lebanon and, despite French claims that order has been restored, reports of disturbances persist. There is no indication, says Reuter, of any softening of the British attitude.

The president of the Iraq Senate and other prominent persons cabled Mr Wendell Willkie asking for the independence of the Lebanon “ in the interests of democracy, the Allies, and the aims of the United Nations.” The All-India Moslem League newspaper, Dawn, commenting on the Lebanon question, says: “ The outrageous conduct of the French in-

truders in the Lebanon is an affront felt throughout the Islamic,world, and the Moslems in India are shocked at it. It is for Britain to see that the scandal stops.” v A Cairo press message announcing the arrival of General Catroux at Beirut adds that it is officially stated that conditions in the Lebanon are returning to normal. Shops are reopening and no disturbances occurred yesterday. * In London the political situation in the Lebanon is regarded as remaining critical and urgent measures on the part of General Catroux appear to be essential to resolve the crisis caused by the arrest of the Lebanese President and Ministers.