Reagan, in a complete reversal of stated U.S. policy, announces that the U.S. marines in Lebanon will pull out of Beirut in a phased withdrawal to ships of the U.S. Sixth Fleet offshore, in a move described as a “redeployment,” not a “withdrawal.”
With the situation in Lebanon deteriorating, Shamir makes it clear that should Lebanon back away from the May 17, 1983 Israel-Lebanon accord, Israel will “consider itself released from any commitment it undertook within the framework of that agreement” and “will ensure the security of its northern border with or without the agreement.”
The New York Times reports that the Reagan Administration held talks with the PLO through an intermediary, John Mroz, a Middle East specialist, over a period of nine months and reportedly had 50 meetings with PLO chief Arafat.
The House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East hands the Administration a setback when it adopts an amendment that would forbid the sale of advanced weaponry to Jordan unless the President certifies that Jordan is “publicly committed” to recognizing Israel.
Mubarak, joined by King Hussein of Jordan, meets with Reagan at the White House, and charges that the current crisis in Lebanon was caused by Israel’s invasion of that country in June, 1982. He also urges a U.S.-PLO dialogue.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
