Rival Ethnic and Religious Factions in South Lebanon Renew Warfare

Renewed warfare between rival ethnic and religious factions was reported today in the regions of south Lebanon just evacuated by the Israel Defense Force and in the Beirut area as well.

Fighting was reported in the Shouf mountains and in the hills between Sidon and Beirut. Druze reportedly exchanged fire with Lebanon army regulars and clashes between Druze and Christian villagers were also reported.

Inside the Moslem quarters of Beirut, fighting was reported between the Shiite mainstream Amal movement and Shiite extremists influenced by the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran.

The level of the fighting was relatively low in the mountainous districts because of cold weather and heavy snow. But in the port city of Tyre, a roadblock manned by the Israel-backed South Lebanon Army (SLA) was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic fire. There were no casualties. Other SLA positions in the vicinity of Tyre have been attacked in recent days.