Lebanese leaders try to reassure people
Lebanon, Politics, 8/21/1997

Israel didn't stop yesterday its hostile action against Lebanon. Tension is escalating , and Lebanese citizens are extremely anxious about the situation; they fear the worst, but Lebanese President Hrawi and Prime Minister Hariri seems less pessimistic about the future.

After President Elias Hrawi, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and House Speaker Nabih Berry met at the Presidential Palace to discuss the events in South Lebanon and Baalbek, Hariri visited the injured people in Sidon, where he protested against Israeli offensives and accused Israel of encouraging violence and not wanting peace. "If Netanyahu's government does not change the way it deals with Palestinians and Arabs, the region will remain a stage of violence," he said.

Nevertheless, he seemed satisfied with the latest news, according to which everything would calm down. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nabih Berry reassured citizens in the South and promised them support. "We are used to Israeli attacks, and we know that troubles will remain as long as Israeli occupation lasts. It is a vicious circle, but we know that there will not be a big war," Berry said.

He added that the citizens in the South should resist and not leave their villages in any case. He finally insisted--once more--on the necessity of returning to the April Memorandum OF Understanding.

It has been reported that the Five-Nation Committee, made up of representatives from Lebanon, Syria, Israel, France and the United States, met yesterday to discuss the complaints of Lebanon and Israel against truce violation, but it is still not clear whether the talks were useful or not.

Previous Stories:
  In response to Israeli shelling of Sidon: Katyushas bombard north Israel   (8/20/1997)
  Sidon residents rise in protest after attack   (8/20/1997)
  Death toll reaches nine in bloodiest day since Grapes of Wrath   (8/19/1997)

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