NEPAL-King s Move

Suleiman Franjeh see in the Phalangists offensive dangerous portents of a permanent division of Lebanon. The Muslims groups too, unlike in 1976, look upon Syrian presence favourably. In their view, Syrian withdrawal would strengthen the Christian groups close to Israel and, as a corollary, the ensuing and inevitable resumption of civil war would precipitate Israeli intervention. Besides, Syria being the only front state close to PLO today, there is the need for close co-operation between Syria, PLO and the Muslims factions. Hence both the Muslim and Palestinian groups headed by National Front and the PLO, respectively, favour negotiations. According to some reports the various Lebanese groups had decided to meet in Damascus where an informal agree- incut was to be made between Syria and scene Christian groups for the Syrian guarantee of protection for the Christian community in return for ending their links with Israel. While these negotiations have had to be postponed, the interesting thing is the division amongst the Christian groups.