MEA chairman quits temporarily

The chairman of Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national flag carrier, has temporarily relinquished his duties until investigations into a scandal involving the illegal leasing by MEA officials of three Airbuses are completed.

An MEA statement Saturday said Khaled Salam would hand over his duties temporarily to Khattar Hadathi, public relations officer and a member of the airline's board of directors, until January 10.

"In view of his engagement in the investigation procedures, the chairman decided to commission Mr. Khattar Hadathi to the post of chairmanship until January 10, 1998 in accordance with the company's regulations," the statement said.

Meanwhile, investigations continued into the suspicious leasing of the Airbus planes. Head of the central criminal investigations department, Brig. Beshara Salem, would again interrogate on Monday Khaled Salam and his son Salim, as well as other MEA officials.