The State Department confirmed today that Soviet-mode SAM anti-aircraft missiles are in place in Lebanon near the Syrian border but their number and purpose were not disclosed. Department spokesman Tom Reston said the missiles are “an old story. “He said “there is no indication they have been moved southward (away from the Syrian border) or that their number has increased.”
Reston was unable to say who placed the missiles in Lebanon. Asked if they might be used against Israel in the event of Syrian-Israeli warfare, he replied that he had “no military judgement to offer.” (By Joseph Polakoff)
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