May 21, 1983

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Leaflets circulated in Damascus by dissident Fateh military officers criticize Arafat for intending to withdraw PLO forces from Lebanon, call for committee to supervise finances; Arafat, in Tripoli, says no Arab regime with its money or arms can confront the Palestinian revolution; Fateh Executive Committee places all PLO units in Lebanon under command of Gen. Ahmed Afani, orders dissident officers into unit under Arafat's direct command, plans to call full scale congress.

Arab Governments: Syria criticizes US over decision to implement sale of F-16s to Israel; Syrian envoy travels to Saudi Arabia; President Mubarak meets special envoy Habib in Cairo.