Artillery exchanges between PSP, and LAF and LF throughout the day in Chouf, Metn and Aley regions, and in coastal area south of Beirut; sporadic artillery and machine gun...
Shelling continues in Beirut's southern suburbs; PSP militia and LAF battle at Souq al-Gharb; Marine positions hit with small arms and artillery fire; shells fall near...
Artillery and rocket battles between LF and PSP continue; PSP militia captures Bhamdoun; LAF takes up positions at Souq al-Gharb; fierce fighting continues in hills near...
Druze militia attacks Lebanese Army at 3 outposts east of Damour, captures 2 positions; rocket and artillery duels follow Druze attack, Beirut airport closed after shells...
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Military Action:
Artillery exchanges between PSP, and LAF and LF throughout the day in Chouf, Metn and Aley regions, and in coastal area south of Beirut; sporadic artillery and machine gun fire between rival militias in Tripoli; commander of IDF-backed militia in South Lebanon disbands his unit, joins Amal.
Casualties:
2 killed, 6 wounded in Tripoli fighting; 3 killed in Chouf; Beirut airport closed after 6 shells hit runway, schools in East Beirut closed; French military helicopter crashes into sea off Beirut, 2 crew members killed, 1 missing.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens, in US, calls for unrelenting diplomatic and political pressure to force Syria to withdraw from Lebanon, says Lebanese government should employ guerrilla activity against Syrian forces in Lebanon; Shamir, in US, says US support for Israel, from point of view of American interests, is a bargain; settlers continue to occupy position near Joseph's Tomb in Nablus; petrol bomb thrown at IDF vehicle in Nablus.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Tripoli Higher Coordinating Committee meets separately with Arafat and rebel leaders to coordinate details of cease-fire and withdrawal of forces.
Arab Governments: Saudi ambassador to US criticizes US-Israel program for increased cooperation, says Israel is strategic liability to US, not strategic asset.
US and Other Countries: Gemayel arrives in Washington for meetings tomorrow with Reagan and senior US officials.
Military Action:
Shelling continues in Beirut's southern suburbs; PSP militia and LAF battle at Souq al-Gharb; Marine positions hit with small arms and artillery fire; shells fall near Jounieh port, north of Beirut; British MNF patrol fired on in Beirut; US jets buzz Beirut; Baddawi camp comes under rocket and artillery fire as heavy fighting continues, Arafat forces establish positions in Tripoli, shells land in city; head of IDF-backed militia in Nabatiyeh assassinated, fifth attack on militia leaders in two months.
Casualties:
1 civilian killed, unspecified number wounded in shelling in and around Beirut; 1 Marine, 1 LAF soldier wounded; Beirut airport closed to incoming flights; police estimate at least 200 killed, 300 wounded in past 4 days of fighting around Tripoli; oil storage tanks hit again by rocket fire, severe fuel shortage in Beirut, Tripoli; IDF permits limited pedestrian and vehicle traffic across Awali bridges, tension high as thousands of stranded persons wait to cross.
Political Responses:
Israeli/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet approves $2 b. budget cut, new austerity measures, including higher costs for education, health care, economists predict recession, rise in unemployment from current 4%o to 7%o; rallies, strikes, and official expressions of support for Arafat in East Jerusalem, West Bank towns and refugee camps, 1 boy wounded by IDF fire at Dheisheh; IDF announces test mobilization of forces, says it is routine and not meant as threat to Syria.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Resumption of Geneva talks among factional leaders postponed until at least November 20.
Arab Governments: Saudi envoy travels to Damascus to intervene with Assad over Tripoli fighting; Jordan declares support for Arafat; Syrian army, including reservists, mobilized.
Military Action:
Artillery and rocket battles between LF and PSP continue; PSP militia captures Bhamdoun; LAF takes up positions at Souq al-Gharb; fierce fighting continues in hills near Beirut airport and along coastal road near Khaldeh.
Casualties:
Police report 31 killed, 67 wounded in Chouf and Beirut, total since Sunday 216 killed, 561 wounded; LAF reports 4 soldiers killed, 8 wounded, 2 civilians killed, 17 wounded in Beirut; 1500 residents flee Bhamdoun; 800 demonstrate near presidential palace, call for government to stop Chouf fighting; 2 US Marines killed, 3 wounded by rockets fired from Burj al-Barajneh area, total US casualties now 4 killed, 17 wounded; 6 Italian soldiers wounded.
Military Action:
Druze forces continue assault on army positions near Kfar Matta and Beirut airport; airport closed for second day.
Casualties:
2 Lebanese soldiers killed, 14 wounded; IDF negotiates release of 3 ministers held by Druze militia at Jumblatt's residence.
Political Responses:
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Druze demands presented in list of 10 points carried to Gemayel by 3 ministers released earlier in day.
Military Action:
Druze militia attacks Lebanese Army at 3 outposts east of Damour, captures 2 positions; rocket and artillery duels follow Druze attack, Beirut airport closed after shells fall on runway, terminal building, nearby residential areas; IDF supports Lebanese Army at Kfar Matta; US Marines fire flares as warnings to Druze gunners in Chouf.
Casualties:
4 civilians, 2 IDF soldiers killed, 24 wounded, including 8 Lebanese soldiers, 4 IDF, 1 US Marine, in shelling of airport area; 3 government ministers, attempting to mediate, detained at Jumblatt's residence.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli shekel devalued by 7.5%, brings cumulative devaluation in 1983 to 72%.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Dany Chamoun meets Shamir, other Israeli officials in Jerusalem.
US and Other Countries: Draper named new US ambassador to Tunisia, other US Middle East diplomatic positions shuffled.
