Arrangements for the final withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon, scheduled to take place tomorrow, were discussed by top level Israeli and United Nations military commanders at a meeting here today. The Israeli Chief of Staff, Gen. Rafael Eitan and his aides conferred with the commander of UN forces in the Middle East, Gen. Ensio Siilasvuo and Gen. Emmanuel Erskine, of Ghana, commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
It was not immediately known whether or how a solution was reached to a key issue that has emerged in recent days. Israel has indicated that it intends to turn over the 10-kilometer-deep security belt along the Lebanese border to the Lebanese Christian militia which occupies several enclaves in that region. It expects UNIFIL to conduct further negotiations with the Christian commanders, headed by Maj. Sa’ad Haddad. UNIFIL commanders have refused to do so unless instructed by UN headquarters in New York. Israeli circles back Haddad’s claim that his forces represent the Lebanese regular army in south Lebanon. But its status is unclear.
There has been considerable tension between UNIFIL and the Christians who doubt that the UN force can prevent the return of Palestinian terrorists to the region. Yesterday’s heavy exchange of fire between terrorists in the Beaufort Castle and the Christian village of Marj Ayoun in south Lebanon was cited by the Christians as a case in point.
FUNERAL SERVICES HELD
Gen. Siilasvuo said yesterday that he is convinced that Friday’s commando raid by Israel on a terrorist coastal base at Dahr el Burj would not affect Israel’s plans to withdraw from south Lebanon. Meanwhile, funeral services were held today for the two Israeli officers killed when a terrorist ammunition dump blew up during the raid. They were Nir Zehavi, 23, of Hadera, who was buried on the Mt. of Olives, and Yiftah Ayin, 23, of Tel Aviv. Both were promoted posthumously from lieutenant to captain’s rank. (By Yitzhak Shargil)
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