France is planning to send additional troops to Beirut to reinforce the multinational force. The decision was reportedly taken as a result of the recent attacks against members of the French contingent. In the latest of a series of such incidents two Frenchmen were wounded yesterday morning in the city’s seafront.
Defense Minister Charles Hernu has asked the Foreign Legion command to prepare for the dispatch of several companies which will join the 1,654 French marines already in Beirut.
The French are reportedly also worried by recent incidents between Israeli soldiers and members of the multinational force. Hernu last night reviewed the situation with U.S. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. The two men had a lengthy telephone conversation to assess the situation.
Official sources in Paris said that any reinforcement will take place only with the agreement of the Lebanese government and in cooperation with the military commanders of the various national forces already serving in Beirut. Four countries have supplied troops to the force: America, Italy and France, with a small British unit which arrived in Beirut earlier this week.
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