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Jews with UN in Lebanon Evacuated After Threats

March 7, 1985
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Jews serving with United Nations units in Lebanon have been evacuated to Israel for protection following Shiite Moslem threats on their lives, Israel Radio reported today. The evacuees were said to include 12 observers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and 18 members of administrative staffs.

Two guerrillas were killed today and another was wounded in a clash with an Israeli patrol near Sirje village, north of the Litani River today. There were no Israeli casualties.

Meanwhile, two former enemies, the Christian Phalangists and the Druze villagers in the Shouf mountains area of Lebanon, were reported today to be discussing mutual protection against Shiite Moslem attacks after the Israel Defense Force leaves the region. The IDF is engaged in the second stage of its threestage withdrawal from south Lebanon. It will leave exposed the Christian town of Jezzine and the surrounding area.

A pact between the Phalangists and Druze who have been fighting each other until recently, would make available to Christian villages a road link to the Phalangist-held port of Joya via Druze-held regions. Access to the port would provide a sea route to Beirut in the event that the coastal road falls into hostile hands.

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