Gur: UN Resolution on South Lebanon Thwarted Possible Accord by Israel with Lebanon, Syria over the

Chief of Staff Gen. Mordechai Gur charged last night that the hasty United States action in pressing a United Nations Security Council resolution on south Lebanon torpedoed a possible agreement by Israel with Lebanon and Syria over this area.

But Gur, in television and radio interviews, said that such an agreement was still possible because of the Lebanese government’s desire for full sovereignty over south Lebanon, the UN presence and the understanding shown by the Arab deterrent force, an apparent reference to Syria whose troops remained north of the Litani River throughout the Israeli operation. Syria has also decided to keep the terrorists from returning to south Lebanon and to prevent any reinforcements being sent there.

The Israeli withdrawal has not yet began from south Lebanon except for a few units, according to Gur, because the UN force has not yet been able to establish itself due to hostility from the Lebanese Christian militia and poor weather. The Chief of Staff said he did not believe the UN would be able to fulfill its role unless the Palestinian terrorists were controlled by others. “I wouldn’t think Canadians, Iranians or others would want their soldiers to serve under fire,” he said.

Gur stressed that Israel will continue to help the south Lebanese Christians and any agreement must ensure their safety. He met yesterday with Major Saad Haddad, the commander of the Christian forces, and reiterated Israel’s promise not to abandon them.

ROLE OF SYRIA

The Syrian-controlled Arab deterrent force made its announcement yesterday that no military personnel or equipment will be allowed to go into south Lebanon. The Syrians also said that other supplies such as food or medical equipment must go through the Lebanese government.

The Israelis view the Syrian action as motivated by a desire to see Israeli troops withdraw from south Lebanon as quickly as possible and to keep the terrorists from drawing the Syrians into a clash with Israeli troops. The Syrians also want to convince Israel that Damascus must be considered in any agreement on Lebanon’s future, according to the belief here.

The Syrian efforts to clamp down on the terrorists did not stop the shelling of Israeli areas and south Lebanese villages from north of the Litani River. Slight damage was reported Friday and yesterday but there were no casualties. The shelling has also prevented UN troops from taking their positions at the Khardala Bridge.

The UN troops, a Swedish unit, again tried to move toward the bridge today when shooting broke out. Palestinian terrorists are on the north side of the bridge in an ancient fortress while on the south side of the bridge is the town of Marjayoun, a major Christian stronghold, where Israeli troops are still present.

According to Israel, the Swedish unit was approaching the bridge aided by several Israeli sappers searching for mines when they were fired upon from across the river by the Palestinian terrorists. The Israelis did not fire at the terrorists. However, UN headquarters in Beirut said only that the Swedish unit was caught in a crossfire. Israeli sources see this as a portent of how the UN will deal with the situation once it is in charge of security in south Lebanon.