Pressure for resignation of Israeli minister builds

Pressure worldwide is mounting for the resignation of Israel's Defense Minister Ariel Sharon. Following the release of the report by the Israeli Commission of Inquiry into the Beirut massacre, American Jewish leaders called on the government to implement its recommendations. The commission had called for the ousting of General Sharon. The chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, for example, said he believed General Sharon would resign out of patriotism. The World Jewish Congress said it supported the commission's findings, too.

Sentiment was stronger among hard-line Arab states such as Syria. Its state radio called for Israeli rulers to be put on trial.

US Secretary of State George Shultz called Israel's Beirut-massacre report an ''outstanding example'' of democracy at work, but added that its recommendations were ''an internal matter for Israel to decide.''