Syrian-backed militia close in on Gemayel

Press, 25 January 1986, Page 11

Syrian-backed militia close in on Gemayel

NZPA-Reuter Beirut Lebanon’s Syrianbacked militias have launched a two-pronged offensive to topple President Amin Gemayel and press ahead with their agreement to end civil war. Local radios said artillery, tank, rocket and mortar fire erupted around the Christian president’s mountain stronghold of Bikfaya, pitting pro-Syrian militia gunners against Christian army units defending the village. As the military noose tightened, the ousted Christian militia chief, Elie Hobeika, announced in Damascus that he would return to Lebanon to mobilise Maronite opinion against Mr Gemayel.

“We will certainly go back to Beirut,” the former Lebanese Forces militia commander said after talks with the Syrian Vice-President, Abdul Halim Khaddam. Mr Hobeika, the Christian champion of a Syrian-brokered peace pact, was defeated in street battles last week by men loyal to Mr Gemayel and the rebel Lebanese Forces chief of staff, Samir Geagea. Mr Geagea said yesterday that his forces were ready to defend Christian areas if necessary. Last week’s east Beirut clashes marked a split among Christians over the accord, which planned to give Muslims more say in Government and cut presidential powers by phasing out a system fav-

curing the minority Christians. In spite of Syrian pressure, Mr Gemayel has , refused to endorse the pact agreed by Mr Hobeika, the Shi’ite Muslim militia leader, Nabih Berri, and the Druse chieftain, Walid Jumblatt. As Syria pondered both military and political options to revive its peace drive, its tanks and artillery took up positions on ridges around Bikfaya. On the political front, most of Lebanon’s Muslim leaders have boycotted Mr Gemayel for failing to back the peace pact. Fears of all-out warfare drove the Lebanese pound to a record low of 22 to the United States dollar at close of trading yesterday, compared . with 21 on Wednesday, traders said.