PSP and LAF exchange heavy artillery fire around Suq al-Gharb; sporadic exchanges of artillery and RPGs around Baddawi, cease-fire holds generally; IDF patrol fired on...
Cease-fire reduces shelling in and around Beirut; 200 Marines of Alpha Company evacuate position near university school of science, move to base on 6th Fleet ships, 1400-...
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...
Heavy artillery, rocket and mortar exchanges continue overnight and throughout the day between LAF, PSP and Amal militias; bazookas, light arms fired at IDF HQ in Sidon,...
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Military Action:
Syria says its air defenses confront US reconnaissance planes over Syrian-controlled territory, force them away.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Teritories: Shamir, in interview prior to departure for US, says he will not agree to changes in May 17 Israeli-Lebanese troop withdrawal agreement, or to freeze on settlements in West Bank.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat says he will begin talks with Karami on details of Tripoli troop withdrawal; PFLP-GC says rebel ultimatum that Arafat leave Tripoli today will not be enforced.
Arab Gvernments: Reports from Damascus say Assad is suffering from angina, not appendicitis.
Military Action:
PSP and LAF exchange heavy artillery fire around Suq al-Gharb; sporadic exchanges of artillery and RPGs around Baddawi, cease-fire holds generally; IDF patrol fired on north of Zahrani.
Casualties:
Car bombs kills 2 civilians in South Lebanon village of Tibnin; 6 Israeli POW held by PLO in Tripoli moved to safety.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: 5 Jewish civilians enter Dheisheh camp, under curfew, shoot and wound 3 Palestinian men after breaking into house, IDF says those responsible were border police in plain clothes on undercover operation; Arens, dedicating new settlement near Hebron, calls on "Arabs of Eretz Israel" to negotiate coexistence with Israel.
Arab Govenments: Assad taken to hospital in Damascus, reportedly has appendectomy, tomorrow's meeting with Gemayel postponed.
US and Other Countries: Special envoy Rumsfeld arrives on first visit to Beirut, meets Gemayel; McFarlane warns Syria US will respond to fire at US aircraft over Lebanon, cites Grenada as example of US resolve to protect American lives.
Military Action:
Cease-fire reduces shelling in and around Beirut; 200 Marines of Alpha Company evacuate position near university school of science, move to base on 6th Fleet ships, 1400-1500 Marines remain onshore; heavy fighting continues around Baddawi, Arafat forces establish positions in Tripoli, area around Arafat's HQthere is shelled.
Casualties:
Amal reports 2 civilians killed, nearly 80 injured in recent fighting with LAF; Beirut airport reopens; general strike in South Lebanon to protest closing of Awali bridges, schools, shops in West Beirut closed in support.
Political Responses:
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat meets mayor of Tripoli, other leaders, promises to do everything he can to avert all out fighting in city.
Arab Governments: Kuwait's parliament votes to halt $265 m. annual aid to Syria because of alleged support of PLO rebels; foreign ministers of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, North Yemen, Tunisia and Algeria fly to Damascus to consult Assad on PLO fighting.
US and Other Countries: Reagan Administration reportedly plans to establish closer political, economic, and strategic relations with Israel as keystone of Middle East policy, Eagleburger's visit last week to Israel laid groundwork; House approves foreign aid bill with largest sum ever for Israel, $2.61 b. in military and economic aid.
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:
Heavy artillery, rocket and mortar exchanges continue overnight and throughout the day between LAF, PSP and Amal militias; bazookas, light arms fired at IDF HQ in Sidon, IDF position near Zahrani river; IDF closes Awali bridges for third consecutive day; Marines close off section of Corniche near British embassy in Beirut; at Tripoli, anti-Arafat forces move toward Baddawi camp, pro-Arafat forces attack positions on Mount Torbol.
Casualties:
3 LAF soldiers, 2 civilians killed, 1 LAF soldier injured; 1 IDF soldier wounded near Sidon; 20 killed, 100 wounded in Tripoli; 12 of 35 fuel storage tanks near Baddawi camp burning.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Government says Syria must have known about and given tacit support to Friday's bombing of Tyre IDF HQ.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Head of Islamic Unification Movement in Tripoli says his militia will fight with Arafat; Fateh Central Committee meets in Tunis, expels 10 rebel leaders.
Arab Governments: King Fahd, President Mubarak call on Assad to halt fighting in Tripoli; Egypt denies it is supplying arms to Arafat.
US and Other Countries: Eagleburger leaves Israel after week of meetings, Shamir and Arens to visit US later this month.
