Haddad Says He Would Accept Only the Position of Commander of Lebanese Forces in South Lebanon

South Lebanon militia commander Maj. Saad Haddad said today he would accept only the position of commander of Lebanese forces in south Lebanon and would refuse the posts of deputy or chief intelligence officer, such as are reported to have been proposed during the ongoing negotiations on the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon.

Speaking to reporters in Marjayoun, his home town in southern Lebanon, Haddad said that after seven years of close cooperation with Israel “I know that Israel does not desert its friends.”

He said that U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz should also talk to him, “as in Beirut he only hears from President (Amin) Gemayel the Syrian line.” Haddad met reporters during a ceremony of the swearing in of new recruits to his forces.

Asked by an American correspondent if he did not fear that Israel might abandon him under American pressure, Haddad replied: “First of all, Haddad is not for sale. After working together with Israel for seven years I know that the Israelis are not a people who can sell their friends.

“It is not a question of Major Haddad himself. It is a question of our people.” He said the people of south Lebanon knew him and respected him.

Haddad, said he had not been officially approached about other jobs apart from army leadership, but had only heard such suggestions in radio broadcasts. “That is all rubbish. It is not a personal question. I’m not looking for my own position. Any change in the position of Major Haddad is a change against the population. I will never betray my country,” he said. Haddad said the idea of American marines protecting the area was “absurd. The marines themselves need protection.”