Major Saad Haddad, commander of the Lebanese Christian Militia declared today that the 350-square mile region along the Israeli border was a “free Lebanon” and would not recognize the authority of the central government in Beirut as long as Palestinians and Syrian troops remained in Lebanon. Haddad who made the announcement at a press conference in Metullah in Upper Galilee, said the decision was taken at a meeting this morning of representatives of the 100,000 people who live south of the Litani River. He did not make clear how he intended to enforce his region’s independence or how he would determine that all Palestinians and Syrian troops had left Lebanon. He called, however, for the resignation of Lebanese President Elias Sarkis.
Haddad’s declaration was made against the background of continuing artillery duels between the militia and Palestinians. The latest fighting was precipitated by the entry into south Lebanon of a 500-man Lebanese army battalion which the Christians claim is a pro-Syrian force commanded by Syrian officers disguised in Lebanese uniforms. The unit came under shell fire today when it attempted to take over its new headquarters at Derdghaiya.
The Christians also reportedly shelled units of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) which had been escorting the Lebanese battalion south of the Litani River. Haddad claimed this was in retaliation for the shelling of Christian villages by Palestinians, Syrian and Lebanese forces. He said he had not consulted Israel before declaring south Lebanon’s independence and he did not know if Israel would back the move. Israel has been aiding and supporting the Christian militia since it evacuated its own forces from south Lebanon last spring.
The Christian-controlled area is 55 miles long and six miles deep along the Israeli-Lebanese border. It is populated by about 60,000 Shiite Moslems, 40,000 Maronite Christians and a scattering of Druze tribes.
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