Lebanese Christians Fearful of Continued Attacks by Terrorists

Lebanese Christians are fearful that any arrangements which might be worked out between Israel and the Lebanese authorities in Beirut over the cease-fire in south Lebanon will not reduce their vulnerability to attack by Palestinian terrorists. They demonstrated their concern yesterday when a Christian armored unit briefly took over a United Nations observation post a few hundred yards north of the Israeli border at Zar’it to protest the assistance rendered by the UN to facilitate a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese army officers at Rosh Hanikra.

The meeting was the first since such contacts were suspended three weeks ago because of ceasefire violations by the Palestinians. A UN plane flew the Lebanese officers to Israel since the coast road from Beirut is under terrorist control.

The Christians have demanded that the UN cease rendering such help. The six-week-old cease-fire resulted in Israel’s withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon that had been aiding the Christians in their battles with the Palestinian Moslems and terrorist groups Israel claims that the terrorists have remained in their advance positions and insists that they withdraw.

It also wants assurances from the Lebanese authorities that the Christians will be protected and wants the open fence to remain functional even after Lebanese army regulars take over positions in the south as called for by the cease-fire.

Those were the points that the four Lebanese officers took back with them to Beirut after their meeting with Israeli counterparts at Rosh Hanikra. Another meeting is expected to take place shortly. Yesterday’s meeting was conducted without the presence of a UN observer. Israel has made the point that these bilateral talks are outside the framework of the Israeli-Lebanese Mixed Armistice Commission to which the UN is a party.