Israeli soldiers about to complete their three years of compulsory military service will have to serve another three months beyond their scheduled release date, the manpower branch of army General Headquarters announced today.
Chief of Staff Gen. Rafael Eitan told soldiers at the front yesterday it would not be fair to discharge them now while reservists are still on active duty. It is apparently felt that reservists, called up from regular jobs within the economy, which is suffering manpower shortages, should be released to return to their jobs as soon as possible.
The young men doing national service, on the other hand, will not lose much by the extra months as most of them have as yet no civilian job commitments. They will receive higher pay for their extra service, at regular army rates.
CEASE-FIRE HOLDS
Meanwhile, the cease-fire which took effect last Friday appears to be holding in Beirut and other parts of the front. Some artillery exchanges were reported from the central sector, involving Christian Phalangists and Syrian forces. Israeli troops were not involved.
Former President Camille Chamoun of Lebanon said today that the Lebanese Christian Front, which he headed, preferred a diplomatic solution to the current crisis over west Beirut. But he demanded that the Palestinians totally evacuate the city. If there is no agreement, said Chamoun, the only choice is to take military steps.
Chamoun spoke to the Voice of Israel Radio correspondent in Beirut after a meeting of the Lebanese Christian Front.
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