The Palestine Chronology

Hamas activists disrupt meeting in Tulkarm called to discuss peace and featuring Faisal Husseini. Militants throw rocks, bottles at Husseini and members of the audience. Fight ensues between supporters of Hamas, PLO afterwards. Hamas had earlier called for a strike in Tulkarm to stop Husseini, who decided to speak anyway. (MM 1/2)

SLA imposes curfew on Rashaf, S. Lebanon, following accusations that villagers participated in 12/29 attack which killed SLA soldier. UNIFIL later demands that SLA end the siege. Both SLA, UNIFIL maintain presence in village. (MM 1/14)

U.S. refuses Arab demand to reschedule negotiations due to Israeli refusal to attend 12/4 talks in Washington. (WP 12/6)

Islamic Resistance Movement fires rockets into Marjayun, S. Lebanon in retaliation for Israeli, SLA shelling of Shiite villages. (NYT 12/9)

Israeli communications ministry and telephone company Bezek end several days' experiment by which selected customers were allowed to call unnamed Arab countries directly through American installations. Experiment came in order to prepare Israel in the event that peace talks lead to agreement on direct communications between Israel, Arab world. Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini was among those who called, speaking to his brother in Jordan. (MM 12/5, 12/6)

U.S. extends invitations for second round, bilateral peace negotiations to convene 12/4 in Washington. Neither Israel nor Palestinians immediately accept, Israel because it favors holding talks in the Middle East and is angered that U.S. has pressed ahead with holding them in Washington, Palestinians because certain persons associated with their delegation might not be granted U.S. visas. Syria and Lebanon did not respond; Jordan immediately accepts. Invitations include U.S. suggestions on overcoming differences, an indication that U.S. intends to continue playing an active role in the peace making process. (NYT 11/23, 11/26; LAT 11/25)

Chief Palestinian negotiator Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi joins Faisal Husseini and PLO exec. comm. mbrs. Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh and Mahmud Abbas in Moscow for talks with FM Shevardnadze. Palestinians will push USSR to insist on direct PLO participation in multilateral discussions. (MM 11/22)

Israeli attorney general announces Israel will not prosecute Hanan Ashrawi on charges she met with PLO officials. (MM 11/22)

Fighting in S. Lebanon continues as SLA artillery bombards villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah region. (MM 11/22

Israeli police investigatory board determines police acted properly upon a report that armed men were present in building housing the Islamic court of E. Jerusalem, other offices shortly before police forces raided the site. Report also claims no documents were taken in 11/18 action. (MM 11/21)

EC announces appointment of its first representative to o.t., to be based in Brussels under terms of compromise recently reached between EC, Israel. EC sought to place delegate in the o.t.; Israel objected, fearing this would imply that the o.t. constitutes adiplomatic entity, and sought to attach the representative to EC mission in Tel Aviv. (MM 11/21)

Hizballah leader 'Abbas Musawi states that fate of Western hostages is separate from that of Arab prisoners held by Israel. (MM 11/20; NYT 11/21)

Girl is killed, five others wounded as SLA blows up two houses of suspected Hizballah guerrillas in Majd al-Sahm, S. Lebanon. Raid comes in midst of increased tension in S. Lebanon. (MM 11/20)

PFLP Gen. Secy. George Habash escalates PFLP's estrangement from PLO, threatening to withdraw from PLO should it continue "on its present course." (MBC Television 11/16 in FBIS 11/18)

Activists in Gaza City announce formation of municipal council for first time in 11 years and that negotiations among factions are underway concerning composition of the 17-mbr. council. Council will reportedly be headed by Fayiz Abu Rahma and funded by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Islamic countries, and European Community. (Qol Yisra'el 11/16, IDF Radio 11/17, Ha'Aretz 11/18 in FBIS 11/18; MM 11/18)

UN protests to Israel the death of Irish UNIFIL member killed night of 11/15-16 when SLA forces ambushed UNIFIL patrol near al-Tiri, S. Lebanon. Another Irish soldier was wounded; one SLA fighter died. (Qol Yisra'el 11/16 in FBIS 11/18; MM 11/18)

E. Jerusalem newspapers list names of some 30 new members of the political committees in the o.t. The committees already count some 150 members, reportedly largely Fateh activists but some from the Palestine Communist Party, DFLP-'Abd Rabbuh faction. (Qol Yisra'el 11/12, 11/14 in FBIS 11/14)

Fateh leaflet circulated in o.t. orders political committees to disband after receiving orders to this effect from Yasir Arafat. The order stated that the committees should be reorganized by a special committee made up of seven representatives from both the West Bank and Gaza, plus a president. Fateh leaflet asserts that the underground committees of the intifada, not the political committees, should form the basis for the future Palestinian state. (Qol Yisra'el 11/12, Al Ha'mishmar 11/15 in FBIS 11/15)

Some 200 supporters of Hamas, leftist factions demonstrate against peace talks at a gathering ofsome 500 supporters ofthe peace process who were listening to a presentation made by Faisal Husseini in Hebron. (MEM 11/14)

Celebrations marking the third anniversary of Palestinian "declaration of independence" [11/15/89] begin in the occupied territories. (MEM 11/15)

Two alleged Palestinian collaborators are found dead in Gaza. (MEM 11/15)

Fighting continues in S. Lebanon as SLA artillery shells Iqlim al-Tuffah, Nabatiyya areas of S. Lebanon. Israeli helicopters attack PFLP office in Rashidiyya cmp, S. Lebanon. Aircraft later bomb Hizbullah bases in Malita village, Jabal Safi area of S. Lebanon. (MEM 11/14)

Faruq al-Qaddumi, top official of both Fateh and PLO, arrives at head of Fateh delegation to Syria in aftermath of Chmn. Arafat's recent meetings with Pres. al-Asad. (NYT 11/10; AFP 11/13 in FBIS 11/14)

Israeli aircraft attack alleged DFLP positions in Rashidiyya refugee camp near Tyre, Fateh-Force 17 positions in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp near Sidon in S. Lebanon, while Israeli-South Lebanon Army bombardment of S. Lebanese villages continues. (MEM 11/8)

Israeli DM Arens returns from China. (Qol Yisra'el 11/22 in FBIS 11/22)

Poll released in Israel finds that almost 30% of Soviet Jewish immigrants who have arrived in Israel since September 1989 would like to be living in another country within five years. Also, 52% stated they would advise other Soviet Jews to delay immigrating to Israel; only 37% had said they would do so in a similar poll conducted in June 1991. (MEM 11/8)

Israeli helicopters fire rockets at DFLP office in Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidiyya, S. Lebanon, while Israeli, South Lebanon Army artillery continue barrage of villages near Israeli "security zone." Israeli, SLA forces reportedly fired more than 1,200 shells during their two-week campaign of shelling. (MEM 11/7)

Secy. of State Baker criticizes 11/4 opening of Israeli settlement in Golan, calling it "provocative." (NYT 11/6)

Chmn. Arafat arrives in Amman for discussions with King Hussein in advance of return of Palestinian, Jordanian delegates from Madrid. The two cochair a committee overseeing activities of the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to the peace talks. (MEM 11/6)

Five Palestinians are injured when violent confrontations break out between Palestinians, Israeli security forces in Jenin following assassination of Fateh activist Mahdi Abu al-Hasan by Israeli undercover agents. Abu al-Hasan, whom security forces had been seeking for some time, was reportedly ambushed in his car without warning. (MEM 11/6)

First direct Moscow-Tel Aviv flight transporting Jewish immigrants carried out by Aeroflot arrives with 125 Soviet Jews. Flight was operated by Transair, an Aeroflot subsidiary. (Qol Yisra'el 11/5 in FBIS 11/6)

Israel, South Lebanon Army shell targets outside of Israel's "security zone" in S. Lebanon for tenth consecutive day. Gen. Antoine Lahad, commander of the South Lebanon Army, states Israeli-Lebanese peace talks will not lead to dismantling of SLA or of the "security zone." (MEM 11/6)

Israeli DM Arens makes secret trip to China. (ITV 11/8 in FBIS 11/17)

Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, two other members of the Palestinian steering committee, fly to Morocco for consultations with Chmn. Arafat. (NYT 11/3)

Pro-peace marches continue in o.t., including one involving thousands of marchers in Jenin. Curfew imposed 10/27 on Nablus lifted, but is imposed on 400,000 Gaza residents. (MEM 11/4)

Thousands flee Kufr Rumman, S. Lebanon, after Israeli troops order them to evacuate the area, which has come under recent heavy Israeli artillery fire. South Lebanon Army radio broadcast also orders 100,000 residents of some 100 villages near the Israeli "security zone" to flee. Israel denies it officially ordered the evacuation, claims order came from a local Israeli commander or from SLA acting on its own authority. As Israel continues its bombardment of the area, Lebanese pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi calls Lebanon's defense council into emergency session, and Shi'ite Amal militia announces a general mobilization, vowing to stand with Lebanese army troops in repelling any Israel attacks. (NYT, WP 11/3)

Peace conference opening ceremonies end as each of the delegations delivers closing remarks. It remains unclear whether or not Syria and Lebanon will proceed to the second phase of bilateral negotiations with Israel, although Palestinian delegates indicate they intend to hold such talks. (NYT 11/2)

Pro-peace conference demonstrations continue in occupied territories. (MEM 11/1)

Some 4,000 anti-peace conference demonstrators turn out in Amman to hear leaders of the country's Muslim Brotherhood movement state that their "long battle with world Zionism" has just begun. (MEM 11/1)

Some 2,500 supporters of Hizbullah, anti-Arafat Palestinian groups protest peace conference in Sidon, S. Lebanon. Israeli jets later bomb Hizbullah positions near Luwayza, 'Arab Salim, S. Lebanon. Israeli, SLA artillery later shell Luwayza and Nabatiyya. (MEM 11/1; NYT 11/2)

At Madrid peace conference, PM Shamir delivers first opening address of the day. He is followed by Jordanian FM Kamil Abu Jaber, chief Palestinian delegate Haydar Abd al-Shafi, Lebanese FM Faris Bouez, and Syrian FM Faruq al-Sharaa (NYT 11/1)

After hearing Abd al-Shafi's speech on the radio, hundreds of Palestinians march through Ramallah waving olive branches and shaking hands with Israeli security forces, who did not break up the demonstration. Similar marches took place in E. Jerusalem, throughout occupied territories. (MEM 10/31, 11/1)

In another move toward PLO-Saudi reconciliation, Fateh Central Comm. Mbr. and top aide to Chmn. Arafat Nabil Sha'th, who was appointed as behind-the-scenes PLO coordinator of Palestinian delegates at Madrid, meets with Saudi representative to talks, Prince Sa'ud bin Faysal, along with Palestinian delegates and members of the steering committee. (MEM 11/1)

Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Salim al-Sabah reiterates Kuwaiti hostility toward PLO, however, describing PLO position during the Gulf war as "shameful" while affirming Kuwaiti support for Palestinian cause. (MEM 11/1)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces continue shelling Nabatiyya area, other regions of S. Lebanon. (MEM 11/1)

Middle East peace conference opens in the royal palace in Madrid with delegations from Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation present. Conference begins with short speech by Spanish PM Felipe Gonzalez, followed by addresses by conference co-conveners Presidents Bush and Gorbachev, and Dutch FM Hans van den Broek, representating the European Community. Soviet FM Boris Pankin and Secy. of State Baker were also present at the negotiating table. Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bandar bin Sultan and 'Abdullah Bishara, secy. gen. of the Gulf Cooperation Council, also attend the conference, but are not seated at the table. Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa delivers the first address by one of the negotiating delegations. Secy. of State Baker confirms that it was not certain whether or not second phase bilateral talks between Israel and the Arab delegations would commence 11/2 as scheduled due to disagreement between Israel, Arab delegations over venue of such talks. Israel is pushing for holding the negotiations in the Middle East, while Arab delegations seek to continue to hold such talks in Madrid. (NYT 10/31)

Hamas calls for a general strike to protest the peace conference. But 2,000 Palestinian supporters of Fateh, some armed with clubs and knives and waving Palestinian flags, march in favor of the peace talks in Gaza as Israeli troops follow them but make no effort to disperse the gathering. The marchers clashed with supporters of Hamas, injuring four. Five thousand other PLO supporters march in Khan Yunis. Pro-peace conference activists in Qalqiliya, Jenin force shopkeepers to open their shops which had been closed following orders by Hamas to observe ageneral strike. Elsewhere, Israeli security forces kill one Palestinian in Hebron, wound at least 24 in Gaza and 11 in Nablus during clashes. (NYT, WP, MEM 10/31)

Iraqi National Assembly condemns peace conference, attacks Syria, Egypt for their participation. (MEM 10/31)

Some 10,000 Lebanese march in Beirut against peace conference. (WP 10/31)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces bombard villages near Nabatiyya, S. Lebanon, in retaliation for 10/29 attacks on Israeli troops. (NYT 10/31)

U.S. announces that both Jordanian and Palestinian delegates will each be able to deliver a 45-minute opening speech at peace conference. Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria will also talk for 45 minutes. Israel protests to Washington that this violates conditions for Israeli attendance by treating the Palestinians as a separate delegation. (NYT 10/29)

London-based Mideast Mirror publishes list of Syrian delegates (MEM 10/28)

Demonstrators for, against peace conference clash at anti-conference rally in Amman. (MEM 10/29)

West Bank gunmen open fire on a bus carrying Israeli settlers from Shilo to an anti-peace conference rally in Tel Aviv, killing two and injuring five, bringing total number of Israelis killed since beginning of intifada to 74. (NYT, WP 10/29)

German authorities state police in Hamburg discovered 14 Soviet T-72 tanks aboard an Israeli ship destined for Israel. The tanks, formerly belonging to the E. German army and subsequently handed over to the German secret service BND, were to be delivered to Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, which sought to learn more about the tanks' design. (NYT, WP 10/29)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces launch artillery barrages directed at area surrounding Nabatiyya, S. Lebanon. Attacks continue into early morning hours of 10/29. (MEM 10/30)

Israeli police question Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi about alleged meeting with PLO officials in Algiers. Both stated they had not violated any laws, and asserted their right to refuse to answer further questions. Security forces do not confiscate their passports, but require each to post a bond of 5,000 shekels to ensure that they will report for questioning at any time in the future. U.S. state department had earlier requested that Israel not prosecute the two for fear it would complicate Secy. of State Baker's peace mission. (Qol Yisra'el 10/8 in FBIS 10/9; MEM, NYT 10/9; AFP 10/9 in FBIS 10/10)

PM Shamir claims U.S. promised that it would not issue invitations to peace conference without having first reached agreement with Israel. (MEM 10/9)

On the first anniversary ofthe violence at the Haram al-Sharif, tens of thousands of Palestinians who commute from o.t. to jobs in Israel observe a general strike called by the Unified National Command of the Uprising and refuse to travel to work. Israeli security forces maintained the ban on Palestinians from the o.t. entering Jerusalem which had been imposed 10/7 in order to forestall any violence. (AFP 10/8 in FBIS 10/9)

Israeli daily newspaper Yedi'ot Aharonot publishes report taken from the Russian weekly Rossiya, associated with reformist president of the Russian republic Boris Yeltsin, which claims that the Israeli New Communist List (Raqah) has been receiving a $600,000 per annum subsidy from the Soviet KGB. Rossiya obtained the figure from a 1987 document recently seized from the headquarters of the Soviet communist party in Moscow which listed the amount of money given by the KGB to communist parties around the world. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 10/8 in FBIS 10/9)

Islamic resistance in S. Lebanon claims it exploded aroadside bomb as an Israeli patrol passed on the Rummana-Safi road. Israeli artillery shells several villages, including Haris, Haddatha, suburbs of Nabatiyya. South Lebanon Army announces it will attack any person moving in or near villages of Ayta Zut and Haddatha, Shi'ite villages lying north of "security zone." (MEM 10/9)

U.S. Secy. of State Baker telephones PM Shamir, requests Israel to delay anticipated request for $10 billion in loan guarantees from the U.S. for settlement of Soviet Jews. Israel had indicated it would be approaching the U.S. for the guarantees so that it can approach commercial banks for loans. Bush administration has been sharply critical of Israeli settlement activity, and fears money could go toward settling Soviet Jews in the o.t. Administration officials have urged Israel not to bring up the question of loan guarantees until after the proposed peace conference is underway. In March 1991, Israel agreed to delay requests for more U.S. aid until September, in attempt to secure U.S. aid to cover Israeli expenses in the Gulf war. (NYT, WP 9/5; WP 9/12)

Irish UNIFIL contingent protests to Israel over continued SLA shelling of UNIFIL troops in Bra'shit, one of several villages subjected to recent SLA attacks. (HaAretz 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

Israeli army extends closure of Bir Zeit University for additional three months. (Qol Yisra'el 9/1 in FBIS 9/6)

Israeli foreign ministry accuses PLO of supporting anti-democratic forces around the world "time and again." Statement comes in wake of statements by some PLO officials in support of 8/19 coup in USSR. (NYT 8/23)

PLO ambassador to USSR denies PLO supported anti-Gorbachev coup, as reported by Russian television 8/23, issues press statement noting PLO considered recent developments in USSR to be an internal Soviet matter. (MEM 8/23)

Israeli authorities order Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi to appear before police 8/26 to discuss their recent meetings with Palestinian leaders in London [see 8/16]. (NYT 8/23)

Hizbullah claims responsibility for bomb attack that left one South Lebanon Army soldier dead, four wounded. SLA artillery, tanks bombard several villages in retaliation. (Qol Yisra'el 8/23 in FBIS 8/23)

Foreign min. of Congo holds discussions with Israeli for. ministry on restoring diplomatic ties. Congo, the tenth African state to renew relations with Israel since 1973, will open an embassy in Jerusalem, making it the third country to do so. (MEM 8/23)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Pres. al-Asad in advance of Secy. of State Baker's anticipated 7/18 trip to Damascus, Baker's fifth to region since March. Trip comes in response to Asad's assent to attend peace conference. (LAT 7/18)

Israeli jets attack targets near five villages in S. Lebanon in response to 7/16 attack by Hizballah on Israeli patrol. Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army fighters destroy 14 homes, burn crops in Majd al-Zun, near scene of the ambush. (LAT 7/18; NYT 7/19

Pres. Bush states U.S. aid to assist resettlement of Soviet Jews in Israel should not be linked with freeze in Israeli settlement building, but calls such building "counterproductive," adding that U.S. is "not giving one inch on the settlements question." Statement comes in wake of continued controversy over Israeli refusal to halt settlement activity in face of American pressure. U.S. anxious to obtain Israeli pledge to cease building settlements prior to proposed peace conference. (NYT, MEM 7/2; WP 7/3)

Lebanese army moves into Sidon and surrounding area as scheduled, establishing its first presence in area since 1975. Army's action comes as continuation of central government policy of disarming militias and deploying army throughout Lebanon. Thousands of residents flee, fearing PLO army clash. PLO, army commanders confer near Sidon over ways to avoid conflict. PLO refuses to disarm as long as Israel still controls parts of S. Lebanon: also seeks discussions on Palestinians' rights in Lebanon. Government welcomes talks, but only after deployment of army in Sidon area. (MEM 7/1, 7/4)

Cmdr. of Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army Antoine Lahad states willingness to release 300 Lebanese prisoners held by SLA in return for Israelis held by Islamic, Palestinian factions. (NYT 7/4)

Secy. of State Baker modifies 5/22 statement concerning Israeli settlement-building as an obstacle to peace, notes that "other obstacles" present equal difficulties. Baker was criticized by American Jewish organizations, some U.S. senators, for singling out Israel in his remarks. Pres. Bush backs Baker's criticism of Israeli settlement building. (NYT, WP 5/24)

Israel begins airlifting remaining 16,000 Ethiopian Jews in Ethiopia to Israel in "Operation Solomon" following secret talks with the collapsing government of Ethiopia. 5/22 letter from Pres. Bush to acting Ethiopian Pres. Lt.-Gen. Tesfaye Gebre-Kidan promising U.S. mediation efforts in Ethiopian civil war in return for unrestricted Jewish emigration paved way for airlift. Bush had earlier written Ethiopian Pres. Mengistu Haile Mariam in April urging release of the Jews. Unnamed U.S. official states Bush asked Israeli Prime Min. Yitzhak Shamir not to settle the Ethiopians in the occupied territories. Aide to Shamir confirmed Israel told U.S. it had "no intention" of settling immigrants on what he termed "occupied land." Simha Dinitz, Israel'senior immigration official, confirmed that none would be placed in occupied territories. Western relief workers complained that valuable resources expended on operation could have been used to aid Ethiopian famine victims remaining in Ethiopia. Airlift comes as Israel is struggling to absorb nearly 250,000 Soviet Jewish immigrants who arrived in past 20 months. 12,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel in "Operation Moses" in 1984 before Arab criticism prompted Ethiopian government to halt exodus. 8,000 others came to Israel after emigration resumed on small scale in 1989. By beginning of 1991, more than 20,000 Ethiopian Jews were living in Israel. (NYT, WP 5/25, 5/26; LAT 5/27; NYT 6/6)

U.S. state department issues cautious statement on 5/22 Syrian-Lebanese treaty, noting that it will monitor events to determine if Lebanon's independence is respected. (WP 5/25)

Israeli Def. Min. Spokesman Danny Naveh states that Israel will release all Lebanese prisoners held by Israel, including alleged Hizballah spiritual leader Shaykh 'Abd al-Karim 'Ubayd, in exchange for Israeli prisoners held in Lebanon. Hizballah spokesman added that Israel must release Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners, that Hizballah could only release those Israelis it holds and not those held by other groups. A total of seven Israelis were captured or reported missing in Lebanon since 1982 Israeli invasion, of whom only two are believed to be alive. Hizballah admits to holding two Israelis. Hizballah is seeking release of Shi'ites held both by Israel and Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army. Agreement came in wake of statement earlier in the week by Shaykh 'Abbas al-Musawi, new leader of Hizballah, that Hizballah would release the two Israelis if Israel freed Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners it held. The proposed exchange could lead to release of Western hostages held in Lebanon as well. (WP 5/25; NYT 5/26)

U.S. joins other 14 members of U.N. Security Council in voting to deplore 5/18 deportation of four Palestinians from Gaza. (WP, LAT 5/25; see JPS 80, doc. A5) 

Israeli authorities deport Ahmad Muhammad 'Ajaj from Jabal al-Mukabar refugee camp in Jerusalem to Jordan for five years for alleged security violations (FJ 5/20)

Hizballah-led Islamic Resistance Movement claims responsibility for two bomb attacks in Nabatiya, S. Lebanon, which kill four, including member of Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army. (NYT 5/18, 5/19)

NATO announces that Germany, Belgium, and Italy will send 42 jet fighters with at least 470 support personnel to Turkey to reinforce that nation's border with Iraq [WP, LAT, NYT 1/3].

After meeting with Saddam Hussein, Yasir Arafat indicates in interview that neither he nor Saddam is insisting that Israel withdraw from o.t. as requirement for Iraq to leave Kuwait [BADS 1/2 in FBIS 1/3; NYT 1/3].

Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) releases letter signed by 127 law professors insisting Pres. Bush has constitutional obligation to "obtain prior express congressional authorization" before ordering U.S. troops into war in the Gulf [WP 1/3].

IDF troops shoot dead 30-year-old Palestinian, wound at least 16 others in Gaza clashes arising after curfew is lifted there [MEM 1/2; LAT 1/3].

Kuwaiti embassy in Washington reports about 500 Kuwaiti nationals in U.S. are being drafted by Kuwait's gov't.-in-exile for training as translators to be assigned with U.S. military units in the Gulf [LAT 1/3].

Foreign ministers of Egypt, Syria, and Libya meet in Cairo to discuss Gulf crisis [MENA 1/2 in FBIS 1/2, 1/3; WT 1/3].

Jordan's King Hussein arrives in London for talks with British PM John Major [MEM 1/2; WT 1/3].

Arab League ass't. sec.-gen., Salah al-Mukhtar, resigns in protest of League's move to Cairo; he is replaced by Egyptian Ahamd 'Adil [INA, MENA 1/2 in FBIS 1/3].

Maj. Gen. Antoine Lahad, commander of Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army, reaffirms SLA independence of newly strengthened gov't. of Elias Hrawi until gov't. shows it is free of Syrian control [LAT 1/3].