Lebanon premier threatens to quit

Lebanese officials were trying to avert a government crisis after Prime Minister Shafik Wazzan hinted he would resign over Tuesday's visit to Beirut by Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens.

The Beirut area is under the nominal control of the government, and Mr. Arens's visit to the headquarters of a private army there was regarded as a challenge to Mr. Wazzan. The Arens visit coincided with an announcement that Israeli troops would begin pulling back into southern Lebanon in a matter of days - a move opposed by the Lebanese government.