The Reagan Administration confirmed today that U.S. Embassy personnel have been withdrawn from Lebanon in response to the deteriorating situation but it would not specify how many people left or how large a staff remained.
“This is a temporary measure because of the current unsettled situation in the East Beirut area,” State Department deputy spokesman Edward Djerejian said. He said the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Reginald Bartholomew, has not been withdrawn.
Observers here said the move appeared to be a precaution stemming from threats against U.S. personnel by hostile Moslem elements over the U.S. veto in the UN Security Council this week of a Lebanese draft resolution condemning Israeli practices in Lebanon and demanding the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from that country.
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