Falangist leader asks for Lebanese peace talks

The commander of the Christian Falangists -- his forces in Zahle surrounded by Syrian troops -- called Tuesday for negotiations to end 13 days of fighting, but battles flared anew in the streets of Beirut. Prime Minister Chefik Wazzan, four Cabinet ministers, and 15 Lebanese lawmakers were trapped inside parliament for four hours by an artillery duel between the Syrians and the Falangists in the capital. Bechir Gemayel, the Christian Falangist militia leader, said, "If we can reach our goal through negotiations . . . then so be it."

Meanwhile in Tel Aviv, unamed military sources said Israel has been supplying arms and other military equipment to Christian forces in northern Lebanon in their fight against the Syrians. This is the first time Israel has admitted arm ing the Christians in northern Lebanon.