LEBANON CRISIS

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22199, 19 November 1943, Page 3

LEBANON CRISIS

DUTY OF BRITAIN GREATER TROUBLE LIKELY KING FAROUK’S SPEECH (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 19, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18 “Britain must step in soon in Lebanon or what happened there will be child’s play compared with what will happen in the future,” said an Arab notable who is well-inform-ed on the Lebanon situation, says the British United Press correspondent, cabling from the Lebanon-Palestine border. He added: “The present stage is the calm before the storm. The situation at Beirut is a sort of armed truce. Both sides are waiting to sec the outcome of the Catroux negotiations, but it is clear that the Lebanese have no intention of accepting any new government.” King Farouk, in his Speech from the Throne, said he profoundly deplored the painful events in Lebanon, against which the Egyptian Government immediately strongly protested. “My Government will do everything possible to re-establish a normal situation and the triumph of right in this dear country.” he said. King Farouk’s uncle, Prince Mohamed Ali, deputised for the King, who is convalescing after a car accident. King Farouk also declared that Egypt is determined to keep her integrity and independence Syria is taking the necessary steps with the approprite authorities in the interests of the Lebanese, a Government spokesman told the Syrian Parliament in Damascus yesterday. The Algiers radio stated that the French Committee of National Liberation, the consultative Assembly and the Council of Resistance are all in session in Algiers today.