US asks Soviets to urge Lebanese cooling by Syria

The United States publicly called for the Soviet Union to use its influence with Syria to defuse the tense situation in Lebanon. "It is incumbent on all governments in the world, including the Soviets, to do their best to calm the situation," State Department spokesman Dean Fisher said. His comment to reporters was made amid rising US concern over the increased level of fighting in Lebanon between Syrian and Israeli-backed forces.

Mr. Fischer, reading a carefully worded statement, also said he wanted "to make it fully clear that the US has not given a 'green light' to Israel" for its rec ent actions in Lebanon.