Tensions between Druze villagers and Christian Phalangists in Lebanon have been eased by the intervention of the Israeli army, the Cabinet was told by Defense Minister Ariel Sharon at its weekly session yesterday.
Cabinet Secretary Dan Meridor said later Israeli troops were stationed in the Druze settlements of Matta and Alei in the Lebanese mountains over the weekend and no new clashes between Druze and Phalangists have occurred. There had been sporadic fighting between them for the past few weeks.
According to Meridor, neither side was solely responsible for the violence inasmuch as both had initiated it at one time or another. Five Israeli Druze religious leaders went to Lebanon yesterday to investigate the plight of their fellow Druze there. They were sent by the spiritual leader of Israeli Druze, Sheikh Amin Tarif of Julis village in Galilee.
A delegation of Druze leaders, headed by Tarif was received yesterday by Arye Shmuelevitz, director general of the Prime Minister’s Office. He promised them that Israel would do whatever it can to restore calm to the Druze villages in Lebanon.
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