The Strategic Town of Bhamdoun is Taken by Druze Soldiers

The strategic town of Bhamdoun in the Shouf mountains of central Lebanon fell today to Druze soldiers supported by Syrian-backed Palestinian and Moslem leftist forces. Bhamdoun commands the Beirut-Damascus highway and its loss was a serious setback for the central government in Beirut. The Lebanese army is said to be holding its own around Beirut.

The fall of Bhamdoun came on the heels of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Shouf mountains to new defense lines on the Awali River in south Leban on. There were reports today of mass slaughter of 40 Druze residents of Bhamdoun by the Phalangists. There were also reports that about 600 Phalangist militiamen had been killed or wounded in the battles for Bhamdoun.

Meanwhile, two more U.S. marines were killed today and two were wounded when mortar shells fell on their position at the Beirut airport. The latest casualties brought to four the number of marines killed while serving in the multinational peace keeping force in and around Beirut.

But Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger indicated in Washington today that the marines will remain in Lebanon despite the casualties and mounting demands in Congress to bring them home.

“I would say that the mission we went there for has not been completed,” Weinberger told reporters before leaving on a trip to Central America. Undersecretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger said it was important that the marines remain in the multinational force which includes Italian and French units and a small British contingent. “The marines can take care of themselves,” he added.

In the shadow of the military defeat at Bhamdoun, President Amin Gemayel held urgent talks today with U.S. special envoy Robert McFarlane, Sources said McFarlane delivered a message to Gemayel stating the U.S. position. The contents were not disclosed.