ALL RELEASED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 277, 23 November 1943, Page 5

ALL RELEASED

LEBANON OFFICIALS “COMPLETE ORDER NOW” (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Reed. 6 p.m. London, Nov. 21. The Lebanese President has been reinstated and the imprisoned Ministers have been released. A communique issued by the French Committee for National Liberation states: "General Catroux's proposal >or the reinstatement of the Lebanese President has been adopted, and the Lebanese Ministers have been liberated. M. Helleu, the French delegate in Lebanon, has been requested to proceed to Algiers. Complete order reigns in Lebanon.” The communique added that the committee had affirmed its decision to enter into negotiations with the Government of the Syrian Republic—negotiations which are necessary to reconcile the position of France as the mandatory Power, with an independent regime as 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.

After the issue of the French communique the Commissioner for Information, M. Henri Bonnet, made the lollowing statement: —“We think the decisions should satisfy all parties and will lead to a settlement from local and Allied viewpoints. We regard the comml\ee's decisions as a satisfactory preliminary solution leading to a final □road settlement.”

Asked whether M. 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 his new Ministers.

M. Bonnet emphasised that the committee’s solution was not due to outside pressure. It was hoped that the decisions would satisfy the British. Algiers radio quoted General Catroux, in a statement he made at Beirut, as saying that in order to end the crisis the Lebanese will have to make concessions as well as the French.

The Alglerg correspondent of the British United Press says General Catroux is believed to have recommended the replacement of M. Helleu, who ordered the arrests in Lebanon. Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent declares that the liberation without reinstatement, of the Lebanese Ministers does not restore the status quo, but is a first step towards a return to normal political conditions in Lebanon and should help to create a favourable atmosphere for the re-establishment of constitutional government. The Cairo correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company had reported earlier that the Lebanese Parliament met secretly on Saturday night and decided to wait 24 hours for the release of the arrested Ministers, after which, if the leaders were not released, it would take action against the French.

The Times says in an editorial: "In taking preliminary steps to end the crisis in Lebanon the National Committee has acted with sagacity and statesmanship. There is now a fair Draspect of a return to negotiation on a basis that should satisfy the reasonab~e claims and expectations of Lebanon in accordance with the pledges already given."

BRITISH INTERESTS TERRITORIAL AMBITIONS DENIED Recd. 6 p.m. London, Nov. 21. Mr. R. G. Casey, British Minister of State in the Middle East, who has been to Beirut, has emphasised that Britain has two interests in Lebanon — that with the French Britain is a coguararitor of Lebanese independence, and that she has a great and immediate interest in the security of naval bases and lines of communication. Mr. Casey also emphasised that Britain has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon. OPINION IN LONDON STEP TOWARD NORMAL Recd. 6 p.m. Rugby, Nov. 21. The decision to reinstate the Lebanese President, release the Ministers, and rcall M. Helleu is regarded in London as going some way towards relieving the acuteness of the crisis in Lebanon. It is regarded as the first step towards a return to normal political conditions, and should help in creating a more favourable atmosphere for the next step, which is the re-establishment of constitutional government. It is thought unlikely in London that there can be any real restorC’-.on of confidence in the Middle East until this is done. —8.0.W. TROUBLE IN TEL AVIV Recd. 6 p.m. Jerusalem, Nov. 21. A crowd set fire to the British District Office al Tel Aviv. Thirty were injured in demonstrations and clashes during the day.