Israeli forces apparently began withdrawing from southern Lebanon today where they have been battling Arab guerrillas since Friday. According to Beirut radio, the Israelis have pulled back from two villages–Habariya and Kfar Hammam–and have also withdrawn bull dozers and road paving equipment from the area after completing a road from the slopes of Mt. Hermon to Habariya.
Reports of the evacuation followed a United Nations Security Council resolution, adopted unanimously early this morning, which demanded that Israel cease all military operations in Lebanon and withdraw its forces from that country. The reported Israeli pull-back, however, was not believed to be in response to the resolution which Israel has denounced as “one-sided and cynical.” (See separate story from UN)
Official communiques issued here have given scant information on the operations in southern Lebanon. The Israeli public has gotten most of its news from Beirut radio which said this afternoon that Israel apparently intends to police the area of five villages in the so-called “Fatahland,” the region of southeastern Lebanon under terrorist control. That report indicated that the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon might not be total.
NO MORE BATTLES; VILLAGERS REMAIN
Earlier today, Beirut radio said Israeli forces were in complete control of a large area of Lebanon where an estimated 5,000 Palestinian guerrillas had been concentrated. Beirut said Israeli forces seized the main guerrilla strongholds and mentioned six villages–Rachaya, Arkoub, Alfokhar, Kfar Hammam, Kfar Shouba and Habariya. According to the Lebanese reports, hundreds of villagers fled as Israeli motorized forces and helicopter-borne jeeps in battalion strength drove into the villages supported by air strikes.
But no more battles were reported today and according to the latest reports, many villagers remained behind and were seen conversing with Israeli soldiers. Tonight the Israeli Army published the text of a leaflet that is being distributed to Lebanese villagers. It assures them that there is no intention to harm them or destroy their homes or fields. But it warns, “If you do not want your villages and homes damaged, remove the terrorists from there.”
FRENCH ENVOY EXPRESSES ANXIETY
The French Ambassador, Francis Hure, called today on the director general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Mordechai Gazit to express his government’s “anxiety” over the situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border. Gazit reportedly told the French envoy, who had requested the meeting, that the Israel government was “disappointed” by France’s “one-sided stand” embodied in the Security Council resolution.
Foreign Ministry sources said today that “routine consultations” took place between the Ministry and American diplomats here. The US has made no representations. According to one source, the US was given advance information about Israel’s moves and intentions in Lebanon. The pro-Moscow New Communist Party meanwhile submitted an urgent motion in the Knesset today calling for a debate on “the invasion of Lebanon and danger to the peace.”
LEBANESE ARMY JOINS FIGHTING
The Lebanese Army reported yesterday for the first time that it had joined in the fighting against the Israeli forces. Syria claimed its anti-aircraft guns went into action against Israeli planes over-flying the nearby Syrian area of Dair El Ashaer. The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Damascus was reported to have spent most of yesterday in the “war room” of El Fatah headquarters following developments in the battle in Lebanon.
Israeli forces have reportedly carved a rough road through the mountainous terrain to link southeast Lebanon with the slopes of Mt. Hermon. The lack of roads in the region is believed to be the principal factor that allows the Palestinian guerrillas control of the area independent of the Lebanese authorities.
UNITY BETWEEN LEBANESE, PALESTINIANS
President Suleiman Franjieh of Lebanon met with parliamentary leaders in Beirut last night. The latter reportedly demanded that the government revise its attitude toward the terrorist presence in Lebanon and line up with the terrorists to fight off the Israelis. President Franjieh reportedly conferred with his political and military advisers and was joined by Yassir Arafat, leader of El Fatah. The meeting concluded with a call for unity between the Lebanese and the Palestinians who are guests in the country, according to Beirut radio.
Israeli circles said today that Air Force jets scored direct hits yesterday on the terrorists’ regional headquarters in the village of Nabatiyeh A That. Israeli sappers reportedly demolished several buildings that served as terrorist billets.
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