Israeli military circles discounted reports today that Syrian military forces have invaded Lebanon. But Israel is maintaining a close watch on developments in Lebanon’s civil strife and on the movements of the Syrian-commanded Palestine Liberation Army units that are known to have entered Lebanon but have not Intervened in the fighting there.
According to the Israeli circles, a statement by the Lebanese interior Minister Camille Chamoun that 15,000 Syrian troops with armor and self propelled guns have entered Lebanon was a gross exaggeration. Israeli officials believe the Syrians are not about to intervene directly, in Lebanon and expose their army on two fronts–the internal one and the Israeli front.
Israel has warned that it would take swift action if the Syrian army intervened in Lebanon. The United States has warned all outsiders–specifically Israel and Syria–to stay out of Lebanon’s internal conflict.
Defense Minister Shimon Peres said yesterday that it was not possible to predict Syria’s moves and that Israel would take defensive action if Syrian troops invade Lebanon. On the other hand, Peres said that changes inside Lebanon whether they are merely constitutional or result in partitioning that tiny country between its warring Christian and Moslem citizens, would not because for Israeli intervention. President Hafez Assad, of Syria, has been quoted as saying that the partition of Lebanon would force Syria to intervene, even if it meant war with Israel.
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