The United Nations cease-fire mission is relocating its observer posts at the Suez Canal, including those on the Israeli side which have been apparent targets of Egyptian artillery shelling, UN sources here reported today. They said that the number of UN posts would remain unchanged but that the relocations would be to improved vantage points.
On the other side of the canal, Egyptian Army posts, including artillery units, have been moved to points often only a yard or two away from the UN posts, positions considered by UN personnel too close for comfort. It was reported that the new UN sites are not on the canal edge, as are the present posts, but further inland on slightly higher ground. The UN observers said they hoped to be able to see what was happening without being directly in the line of fire.
The canal area was generally quiet this weekend. (In a letter to the UN Security Council on Friday, Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed Awad H. el-Kony claimed Israeli forces were moving artillery pieces within range of Port Said, aggravating the Suez situation to the “point of a threat of explosion.” Secretary-General U Thant met with Mr. el-Kony and U.S. envoy Charles W. Yost on Mideast tensions on Friday.)
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
