A Christian radio station on the Lebanese border claimed today that Iranian volunteers have crossed into south Lebanon from Syria and are stationed in Nabatiya, a village under the control of Palestinian terrorists: There was no official confirmation here but Israeli sources said that it was possible that a few of the Iranians who landed in Syria this week may have infiltrated into south Lebanon, but not in any substantial numbers.
The report was broadcast by “The Voice of Hope, “a small radio station north of Metullah which is operated by American volunteers who support Maj. Saad Haddad’s Christian militia in south Lebanon. Immediately after the broadcast, Haddad’s forces began shelling Nabatiya. Haddad reportedly met today with officers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to warn them that he would shell any village that harbored volunteers from Iran.
Haddad also urged President Elias Sarkiss of Lebanon to unify all “true” Lebanese forces for the sake of the country. The Christian militia commander, who is supported by Israel, is not recognized by the government in Beirut and has been branded a “renegade.” Meanwhile, Radio Monte Carlo reported that Syrian authorities said yesterday that they would not allow the Iranians to enter Lebanon unless the Lebanese government agreed.
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