News from Beirut August  12  1998 ...Search Lebanon.com

Monitoring group condemns Israeli attacks on civilians in the South

Following its meeting yesterday at the UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqoura, the international truce panel issued a statement condemning Israeli attacks on Lebanese civilians in the South. The statement added Israel twice violated the accord on the 9th of this month. The panel said Israeli shells which fell in Majdel Zoun injured one Lebanese civilian and damaged a civilian home in the village. On the same day, five Israeli shells targeted the village of Ain Qana injuring a civilian and inflicting damage in 10 civilian homes, three cars, and the electricity network in the village. The truce bans attacks to and from civilian areas.

Israeli shelling continues on the South

Israeli artillery today bombarded the Zahrani area and the outskirts of Lowaizeh and Mazraat Okmata in Iqlim Al-Touffah. The attacks were launched from Israeli outposts in Zaffateh. Israel late last night bombarded the outskirts of the Zemrayyah border crossing. Serious material damage was inflicted upon olive fields in the area.

In another development, Israeli navy forces prevented a commercial ship loaded with cars from entering the seaport of the Southern port-city of Tyre. Half an hour later, the ship was allowed to enter.

Hrawi holds a number of local meetings at Baabda

President Elias Al-Hrawi this morning received at Baabda a delegation of the union of chambers of commerce, industry and agriculture in Lebanon. The president later met the former president of the Lebanese University George Tomeh and the Acting President of the Scientific Institution for Research, Moeen Hamzeh. Hrawi also held talks today with a delegation of the newly elected municipal council of Barr Elias.

Berri meets Beirut's newly elected municipal council

House Speaker Nabih Berri at noon met a delegation of the newly elected municipal council of Beirut headed by the council's president Abdel Menem Al-Arees. Discussions centered on issues related to the capital and its needs. Al-Arees later reported the House Speaker's concern with the welfare of the Beirutis. Berri later held talks with the Lebanese ambassador to Canada, Assem Jaber.

Also in parliament today, the committee of National and Internal Defense held a meeting headed by MP Sami Al-Khatib. The parliamentary committee of  Foreign Affairs was also in session today.

Merhej seeks Australian aide on 425

Administrative Reform Minister Bshara Merhej today called on Australia to help Lebanon achieve the implementation of all international resolutions especially UN Security Council Resolution 425. Merhej said what Lebanon needs most is true peace and the liberation of its territories in South Lebanon and the Western Bekaa from Israeli occupation. He added this would allow Lebanon to proceed with its reconstruction process and economic development. Merhej was speaking to reporters in Australia following his meetings with the head of the Lebanese-Australian parliamentary friendship committee and a number of government officials there.

Lebanon to appoint administrative employee in Iraq

Acting Finance Minister Fouad Sanyoura today received the Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan Nouri Al-Weis who is currently on a visit to the country to discuss bilateral relations. Lebanon has recently informed Iraq of its government's decision to appoint an administrative employee in the Lebanese embassy in Baghdad which has been closed since the year 1994. Foreign Minister Faris Boueiz yesterday officially informed the Iraqi ambassador to Jordan of that decision.

Trucks forbidden to use mountain roads early in the morning

Mount Lebanon Governor Mohammed Suheil Yammout today stressed truck drivers should abide by a decision not to take mountain roads starting 6:30 a.m. till 8:30 a.m. during the summer season. The governor today issued a statement saying the decision was taken in favor of those who are spending their summer in the mountains. He added these trucks are annoying people and are even becoming a threat to their lives.

In this regard, the syndicate of truck drivers called for a strike to be held tomorrow in protest to the governorate's decision.


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