Waldheim Calls for Immediate, Lasting Cease-fire Inlebanon

— Secretary General Kurt Waldheim said today that he is “greatly concerned” over the continuation and escolation of violence “affecting many parts of Lebanon” and called for ” an immediate and lasting cease-fire.” Waldheim’s statement, issued through a UN spokesman, also appealed to all parties in Lebanon “to exercise utmost restraint and to cooperate fully with the Lebanese government in its efforts to this end.”

Meanwhile, a high ranking UN official who asked not to be identified, said today that the Lebanese government does not want the extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to the areas of fighting in north Lebanon. UNIFIL is presently confined to the southern region of the country. Proposals that its mandate be extended to the other areas of hostility were made recently by France and other UN member states.

EGYPT CONCERNED OVER EVENTS IN LEBANON

In a related development, Egypt sent a letter to Waldheim today expressing its concern over “the bloodshed” and “inhuman atrocities” in Lebanon and called for “effective and prompt UN action to support the legitimate government of Lebanon in order to peacefully resolve the causes of internecine conflict.” The letter was sent by Nabil el Araby, Deputy Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN and Charge d’ Affaires of the Egyptian Mission here.

He wrote, “I would like to emphasize, once more, the importance my government attaches to the pursuit of intensive UN endeavors toward a peaceful resolution of this conflict. The government of Egypt will continue to follow closely the developments and will spare no effort to render support to the endeavors.”

The Egyptian letter warned that the situation in Lebanon “inevitably has grave consequences, not only for the stability and integrity of Lebanon but also for regional and world peace and security.”