A Norwegian contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) captured nine terrorists yesterday in a clash with a terrorist group.
Norwegian soldiers in Metulla said a band of about 15 terrorists entered the Norwegian-controlled area on the way south. When the Palestinians were ordered to halt, they opened fire on the UNIFIL contingent. In the subsequent fight and pursuit the Norwegians captured nine of the terrorists and were searching for the others.
Maj. Sood Haddad, leader of the Christian militia, who has been critical of the UN forces sent a cable of congratulations to the commander of the Norwegian troops. But the UN turned down his demand that the terrorists be turned over to him. The prisoners were to be taken to the UN headquarters in Tyre.
In a related incident, Israeli air force planes today attacked terrorist bases in south Lebanon. All planes returned safely to base. An army communique said that Israeli planes attacked two targets considered to be departure bases for terrorists on their way to attacks in Israel. One of the targets was Ras el Ein, on the Mediterranean, south of Rashidiyeh in the Tyre area, and the other was in “Fatahland,” some 30 kilometers north of Metulla.
Meanwhile, the UN has promised Israel to work out some arrangements whereby Israelis going to the Umm Hashiba station in Sinai will not be checked out by members of the UN Truce Supervisory Organization (UNTSO), which has replaced the UN Emergency Force at the station. Israel has rejected the of UNTSO in Sinai.
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