The Palestine Chronology

Military Action:

Sporadic shelling continues in southern suburbs and Chouf; LAF, PSP and Amal militias reportedly rearming heavily, LAF arsenals contain 5 times the amount of ammunition held in latter August.

Casualties:

US Marine deaths in bombing reach 230, French report 56 dead, 2 missing and presumed dead; first group of wounded Marines returns to US, attends press conference.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: National Salvation Front leaders confer in Damascus prior to next week's reconciliation conference in Geneva.

Military Action:

Home-made bomb thrown at French MNF vehicle in Beirut; fighting between LAF and militiamen in southern suburbs continues intermittently; car bomb explodes in West Beirut, no casualties.

Casualties:

1 French paratrooper wounded by bomb; 3 militiamen, 1 policeman killed, soldier and civilian injured in southern suburbs.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange opens for limited trading for first time since October 9.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Geneva reportedly agreed on as new site for reconciliation talks.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says Syria, aided and abetted by 7000 Soviet advisers and technicians, is contributing to the disorder and trouble in Lebanon; US shipping large quantities of ammunition and military equipment, including 68 M-48 tanks, to resupply LAF.

Military Action:

10,000-13,000 Lebanese Army troops cordon off 14 sq. km. area around Hayy al-Sollom and Burj al-Barajneh, begin sweep against Muslim militias, heavy fighting from dawn to noon, Army occupies 2 sq. km., claims to have captured Amal HQin Burj al-Barajneh; Druze gunners in Upper Metn fire artillery and rockets at East Beirut and industrial areas, and in support of Amal militia; US Marines come under fire, use 155 mm artillery, 81 mm mortars, rockets from Cobra helicopter gunships against Shi'ite positions near airport and in foothills; Amal militia drives Lebanese Army from garrison and checkpoints in West Beirut, Mourabitoun militia takes control of streets; Amal takes over Beirut TV station; snipers posted on rooftops, firing continues throughout day and evening.

Casualties:

2 US Marines killed, 14 wounded by mortar fire; 11 Lebanese soldiers killed, 60 wounded, estimated 12-50 kidnapped; civilian casualties estimated at 20 dead, 100+ wounded, 1 Lebanese Air Force fighter bomber destroyed at airport, 2 damaged; 2-4 Lebanese Army APCs, several tanks captured.

Political Responses:

PalestiniansI Lebanese: Gemayel convenes emergency session of Cabinet; Amal leader Nabih Berri says he wants no problems with US, denies that US positions were fired on by Amal militia.

US and Other Countries: Reagan accepts recommendation of crisis management group, headed by VP Bush, that there is no need to expand size or change role of US force in Lebanon; members of Congress press for declaration that fighting in Lebanon triggers provisions of War Powers Resolution; White House says attack on Marines was outgrowth of Syria's refusal to withdraw its troops and Syrian influence over Lebanese factions.

UN: 10-day Conference on Palestine opens under heavy security in Geneva, more than 90 countries participate, US, Canada, Israel boycott.