Yesterday's events move all

The failure of the Israeli commandos who landed in a village south of Sidon yesterday shortly after midnight was the object of speeches and contacts all day long. News reports showed several times rests of burnt bodies and accounted the important Israeli losses, finally set at 12 dead and four injured. Lebanese losses included four members of Amal and two members of the Islamic Resistance. A civilian woman was burnt in the early morning, while she was driving her car near the place were the fights took place.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared yesterday that Israel suffered a double catastrophe, mentioning the bombings in Jerusalem and the failure of Israeli commandos in south Lebanon. Meanwhile, Lebanon filed a complaint to the Five-Nation Committee to protest against this "unexpected and unjustified" Israeli attack.

Lebanese President Hrawi called Prime Minister Hariri from Rio de Janeiro, and asked him about the situation in south Lebanon, to check on whether he should cut his trip short. After they discussed the matter and saw that the tension had decreased, Hrawi decided to stay in Brazil where he renewed his thanks to the Brazilian President for his support, and discussed the latest fights of Lebanese army and resistance with Israel, stressing that Lebanese were just defending their land while the Israelis were violating UN resolution 425.

French President Jacques Chirac expressed his disapproval of the way things were evolving in the region, while he assured Netanyahu in a phone call that his country hopes that peace will soon be established and condemns violence. Chirac also called Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, as well as Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri--who is known to be his friend--in order to discuss the situation and try to calm things down.