Lebanon seeks end to Algerian bloodbath
Lebanon-Algeria, Politics, 1/15/1998

The Algerian crisis was not on the agenda of Wednesday's Cabinet meeting. But recent violence in the north African country nevertheless found its way to the ministers' table, and a strong wish to find a solution to the growing crisis was expressed.

Information Minister Bassem Sabee, who announced the Cabinet's decisions following the weekly meeting, said Lebanon was lobbying to bring about Arab mediation to end the violence in Algeria.

He said Algeria had supported Lebanon during its civil war years and had helped bring about the agreement which brought an end to the war. Now it was Lebanon's duty to help Algeria get out of its own war, he said.

He added that contacts with Arab League and Arab governments were being made in order to formulate a means to end the current crisis.

House Speaker Nabih Berri said after meeting with President Elias Hrawi at Baabda Presidential Palace that Lebanon was making "contacts with the Arab League and Arab parliaments to establish a committee aimed at helping efforts to put an end to the massacres in Algeria, even if it rejects foreign involvement."

"What is happening in Algeria is unacceptable," Berri added.

Previous Stories:
  Report from site of massacre in Sahnien, Algeria   (1/14/1998)
  Hundreds die, Algeria denies numbers accuracy   (1/13/1998)
  European delegation to Algeria   (1/10/1998)

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