The Reagan Administration expressed concern today about the presence of “Syrian-supported Palestinian forces” involved in the fighting in Lebanon, State Department deputy spokesman Alan Romberg gave no details as to how many Palestinians are involved or where they are located.
White House press spokesman Larry Speakes was more specific. He told reporters today that “Druze militia and Palestinian forces probably under Syrian control and with Syrian logistical support engaged in direct attacks on the Lebanese army” in the strategic Suq Al Gharb region overlooking Beirut.
Romberg said “There is increasing evidence that some Syrian supported Palestinian forces are involved in the fighting in Lebanon,” He said this involvement of Palestinians, some of whom are members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, is a “serious breach” of the agreement last year by which the PLO was evacuated from Lebanon. He said the involvement of the Palestinians increased the concern the U.S. already has over the fighting going on in Lebanon. The U.S. again urges all parties involved to recognize that “further conflict in no way serves the cause of peace in Lebanon,” Romberg said.
Speakes said the U.S. was continuing to seek a diplomatic settlement in Lebanon between the government of President Amin Gemayel and the various Moslem factions. He said U.S. special envoy Robert McFarlane, presently in Beirut, “is working around the clock” toward that end.
“We’re hopeful that those participating in the fighting and those instigating the fighting in that area will recognize the answer lies in the opportunity to stop the fighting and seek a peaceful solution, ” Speakes said.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
