News from Beirut May 28 1998 ...
Tension escalates in South Lebanon
Two sergeants from the Israeli army were killed last night and two others
wounded only 50 meters from the Israeli border. Hizbullah has claimed
responsibility for the attack. The Israeli soldiers were reportedly
on
patrol in the zone Israel occupies in South Lebanon before resistance
men
detonated a roadside bomb by remote control near the village of Markaba
about 50 meters from the border between Israel and Lebanon.
An Israeli army spokesman, interviewed on the scene of the operation,
admitted the casualties and threatened to "take all the steps needed
to
destroy the Hizbullah team as soon as possible".
The attack brought to six the number of Israeli soldiers killed in
South
Lebanon since the beginning of this year.
Last night's tension came after two separate roadside bomb attacks
killed a
Lebanese shepherd and wounded another near the village of Nabatieh.
The
bombs are believed to have been planted by Israelis or their allies
in
South Lebanon
Netanyahu in Beijing: 425 is now more pressing than ever
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu today stressed from Beijing his
proposal for an Israeli pullout from South Lebanon on condition that
the
Lebanese government grant Israel security guarantees is "more pressing
than
ever". Netanyahu was speaking during a news conference he held in Beijing,
which he is now visiting. The Israeli premier added "while Israel's
latest
initiative is being put in place, Israel must enjoy this kind of
tough
blows", a reference to last night's attack which killed two Israeli
soldiers and wounded two others.
The Lebanese government has rejected Israel's latest offer on 425 stressing
that the resolution calls on Israel's unconditional and immediate
withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese areas. Lebanon also rejects providing
Israel security guarantees in the absence of a peace treaty.
Hariri holds talks in Damascus in light of the escalation in the South
Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri is in Damascus for talks with top Syrian
officials. Discussions are expected to center in the deadlocked Middle
East
Peace Process and the overall situation in the region. But his meetings
with officials there will be topped by the situation in South Lebanon.
Tension is high in the South after Israel stepped up its attacks over
recent days.
Regional law conference opens in Beirut
Before leaving for Damascus, Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri a regional
law
conference at the Beirut Arab University. The meeting is organized
by the
Arab law federation and attended by a number of justice ministers and
law
experts from different parts of the Arab world. During the opening,
the
premier called on all the lawyers of the country to review Lebanon's
recent
legislative reconstruction programs. Hariri also stressed that if mistakes
were made in these programs and legislations, they will be corrected.
Another Arab conference opens in ESCWA
At the headquarters of ESCWA, a large number of Arab and foreign delegated
gathered today. The delegates are taking part in the third annual
conference co-sponsored by the Arab League and the Arab Center for
Strategic Studies. During the opening session, prime minister Rafik
Al-Hariri was also present. In his speech, Hariri described Lebanon
as a
unique Arab model adding it is an integral part of Arab revivalism.
The
premier also called on all Arabs and Arab states to adapt more open
systems
which enable development in different sectors. The conference in general
centers on Arab revivalism in the 21st century.
A meeting in Dar Al-Fatwa stresses polls would go ahead in the capital
A meeting was held in Dar Al-Fatwa today to discuss local elections in
the
Beirut municipality. It was attended by Mufti of the Republic Sheikh
Mohammed Rashid Qabbani, Minister of Administrative Reform Bshara Merhej,
deputies Adnan Arakji and Michel Faroun, and the head of the press
syndicate Mohammed Al-Baalbacki. The meeting stressed there will be
consensus in Beirut and national balance will be preserved. Merhej
said
after the meeting the contacts underway are aimed at insuring all sects
will be represented in the capital's municipal council. Cabinet last
night
reiterated municipal and mayoral elections in Beirut will take place
and
all sects will be represented in the capital's council.
Miss Lebanese launches environmentalist party
Miss Lebanon Joelle Bohlok yesterday held a press conference announcing
plans to form her own apolitical environmentalist party. She stressed
the
necessity of promoting environmental awareness in the country. Bohlok
also
urged all environmentalist groups in Lebanon to cooperate with her
party in
a bid to fight potential threats. Her party will organize activities
and
conduct surveys and campaigns in different areas across the country.
"My
call to form this party goes straight from my heart to every
environmentally conscious citizen, including high ranking officials,"
Bohlok concluded.
The Luxurious Hotel in the
heart of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon
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