Agreement to Establish a National Unity Government in Lebanon May Be Reached by the End of the Week

An agreement to establish a national unit government in Lebanon is expected to be reached by the end of the week between the leaders of the various factions attending the Lebanese reconciliation conference here.

According to sources close to the government of President Amin Gemayel, the agreement will encompass plans presented by Druze leader Walid Jurmblatt and Nabih Berri, leader of the Shiite Moslem Al Amal militia. It calls for restructuring the Lebanese army, beefing up the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and putting an end to the confessional system of government which assigns offices according to a candidate’s religious persuasion.

PLANS CALL FOR ISRAEL’S TOTAL WITHDRAWAL

The plans presented by Jumblatt and Berri also call for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon in compliance with Security Council resolutions. No mention was made of Syrian withdrawal.

The re-organization of the Lebanese army and police is aimed at ending the supremacy of the Christian Phalangists, headed by Pierre Gemayel, father of President Amin Gemayel. A committee would be formed to supervise that task. A fund to help Shiite Moslems is also part of the plan under consideration.

Michel Samana, an aide to President Gemayel, told reporters today that the reforms proposed by Jumblatt and Berri were discussed at a series of private meetings today in “a positive and friendly atmosphere.” There were other reports, however, that Jumblatt is still demanding Gemayel’s resignation. But according to sources, the national reconciliation agreement will be accepted on Friday or Saturday, though it will not be immediately signed.

SYRIA CALLING THE TUNE AT THE CONCLAVE

Meanwhile, observers here expressed astonishment at the absence of Western diplomats from the conference. The West, especially the U.S., played an important role in the first round of reconciliation talks held in Geneva last November. They ended in failure.

According to most observers, it is Syria that calls the tune at the current conference. “Syria the godfather dictates the rules and the Saudis pay the bills,” one observer said. The consensus among them is that until a final agreement is reached, anything can happen.

Gemayel invited all of the participants to a dinner at his hotel tonight. One Christian Lebanese correspondent remarked wryly, “I only hope it will not turn out to be the last supper.”