Artillery fire exchanged between LF and PSP militias in Kharroub area south of Beirut; sniper fire continues against LAF and LF positions; Western military sources say...
Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF receives instructions to avoid contact with multi-national force in Beirut; following eighth round of Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiations...
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Military Action:
Artillery fire exchanged between LF and PSP militias in Kharroub area south of Beirut; sniper fire continues against LAF and LF positions; Western military sources say Syria is blocking entry of Palestinian guerrillas to Chouf and evacuating those already there.
Casualties:
1 LF militiaman killed, several wounded by snipers in Deir al-Q;mar.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Talks on formation of government of national unity between PM-designate Shamir and Labor leader Peres break down.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Cease-fire security committee agrees to put roads leading to airport under LAF control, remove militia checkpoints on roads south of Beirut, exchange persons kidnapped during fighting by opposing militias, permit Red Cross to enter battle areas.
Arab Govemnments: Mubarak, on official visit to US, meets Reagan, other administration officials, calls for reactivation of September 1982 Reagan plan.
US and Other Countries: Shultz and Syrian Foreign Minister discuss monitoring of Lebanon cease-fire, Syria reportedly objects to use of UN observers.
Military Action:
Rival militias exchange RPG and machine gun fire in Tripoli.
Casualties:
2 killed, 1 wounded in Tripoli.
Political Responses:
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Heavy fighting resumes between PLO factions around Taanayel, Saidnayel, and Fateh training camp near Baalbek.
Arab Governments: Celebrating Syria's Armed Forces Day, Assad says US cannot be fair mediator between any Arab party and Israel when it has been backing Israel's continuous aggression against the Arabs.
US and Other Countries: State Dept. acknowledges reports that Reagan is considering increasing US aid to Israel.
UN: 2nd UN Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination opens in Geneva, US and Israel boycott.
Military Action:
Bomb explodes as IDF vehicle passes in Beirut suburb of Baabda; IDF vehicle detonates mine near Ein Zahlata; IDF tank hits mine in Bekaa region.
Casualties:
6 IDF soldiers wounded in Baabda attack, 3 in Ein Zahlata; Lebanese police report 3 Palestinians killed in two attacks on IDF positions in South Lebanon; stray machine gun fire by IDF penetrates US Marine base after Baabda attack, no injuries; UNRWA officials report escalation in attacks on Palestinians in Sidon, said to coincide with arrival there of Phalange officer Elie Hobeika, armed and masked men of Guardians of Cedars threatening Palestinians, 4 killed, 2 wounded since April 28.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Shultz returns to Jerusalem, meets with Begin, Shamir, Arens; Begin says he will call Cabinet meeting to decide on draft troop withdrawal agreement; Ministry of Absorption reports that only 11 of the 114 Jews leaving the Soviet Union last month came to Israel; Elon Moreh settlers fire on Nablus youths when stones are thrown at their car, 13 students arrested, school closed; window of Israeli truck broken by stones near Kalandia camp; 400 students hold sit-in demonstration at Tireh UNRWA Training Center.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: President Gemayel says the danger of signing an agreement with Israel without obtaining the withdrawal of Syria, the PLO and some Iranians is that Israel will not withdraw and the agreement will have no value; PLO seeks guarantees for security of Palestinians in Lebanon as precondition for withdrawal of PLO forces, Saudi information minister to intervene with Lebanese officials this week on issues of murders of Palestinians, threats to refugees, bombings of shops, expulsions, detention, attacks by Lebanese Army on Palestinian women crossing into East Lebanon to visit husbands and fathers with PLO forces.
Arab Governments: Jordan considering limitations on export of West Bank produce to East Bank, restrictions on entry of West Bank students to University of Jordan, holding of elections on East Bank only.
US and Other Countries: Shultz continues talks in Beirut, then returns to Jerusalem; Reagan says PLO council was never elected by the Palestinian people, referendum on alternative leadership might not be practical; French foreign minister meets PLO official, asks PLO to cancel UN conference on Palestine scheduled for UNESCO's Paris headquarters in August.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF receives instructions to avoid contact with multi-national force in Beirut; following eighth round of Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiations in Kiryat Shemona, Lebanon says Israel will not be permitted to operate electronic surveillance stations on Lebanese soil, all agree to forming 4 subcommittees for timetable of withdrawal, security arrangements, future Israeli-Lebanese relations, guarantees to final agreement, with subcommittees to meet 2 days per week in Khalde and Herzliya; public opinion poll shows, if Knesset elections today, Likud would win 52 seats against 42 with a Labor list headed by former President Navon; Matti Peled, Uri Avnery and Yaacov Arnon, members of the Israeli Council for an Israeli-Palestinian Peace, announce meeting with PLO Chairman Arafat last week; Israel lodges formal complaint that 2 Egyptian tractors crossed into no-man's-land near disputed Taba region of Sinai; Sheikh Kamal Maade of Yarka announces Israeli Druze fundraising campaign for Lebanese Druze will be renewed; Israeli intercommunal committee to foster peace between Druze and Christians in Lebanon calls on IDF not to withdraw until a reconciliation is reached in the Chouf; Defense Minister Sharon leaves Zaire after signing a series of military agreements; documents presented at courtmartial of Israeli soldiers show Chief of Staff Eitan recommended punishment by expulsion to curb unrest among Palestinians in the West Bank, also suggested detention/exile camp, such as the one for teenage detainees built at Fara'a, near Nablus.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Prime Minister Wazzan blames Israel for the near-stalemate in talks, rules out monitoring station in South with either Israeli or US personnel; Phalange official tells Western diplomats and journalists that suspected assassin of Bashir Gemayel, Habib Shartouni, was manipulated by Nabil Alam of pro-Syrian Syrian Social National Party (PPS), but results of official inquiry into Bashir's death not released.
Arab Governments: Egyptian Government withdraws tractors, saying it was an accident they strayed into disputed Taba territory; Syria condemns Lebanese-Israeli-US talks, complains to UN that Israel is threatening to attack.
US and Other Countries: US contacts Israel through diplomatic channels to express concern over incidents involving IDF and Marines in Beirut, total of 5 such incidents in January.
