A possible clash loomed today between the Christian militia in south Lebanon and the newly deployed Nigerian contingent of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon(UNIFIL), which, the Christians claim, favors the Palestinian terrorists. The Nigerians aimed tanks and artillery at Christian villages following a series of confrontations with the militia in recent days. The Christians have blocked roads leading to the Israeli border to all UNIFIL traffic.
A meeting between militia and UNIFIL officers at Metullah Monday night failed to reach any agreement. The Nigerian troops replaced an Iranian battallion that was called home last week. The Christians, who are backed by Israel, claimed that the Nigerians, being Moslem, support the Palestine Liberation Organization and its terrorist arm, EI Fatah. They urged the UNIFIL command not to post them on the Akiyah bridge, charging that they were allowing terrorists to cross the Litani River. A Nigerian unit was encircled by militiamen after it allegedly hampered Christian patrols in south Lebanon.
The Christians said the patrols were permitted under an agreement reached between their commander, Major Saad Haddad and UNIFIL commander Gen. Emanuel Erskine of Ghana. But the Nigerians emplaced tanks and artillery within range of the Christian enclaves. It was the first time UNIFIL has deployed artillery in the area.
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