Cease-fire called in town under siege in Lebanon

The presidents of Lebanon and Syria have called a new cease-fire in Zahle, the militia-held town under siege by Syrian troops for three months, sources said. Shortly after the cease-fire was due to take effect, the heavy shelling that had been going on appeared to give way to sniping, security sources in the town said.

Meanwhile, US special envoy Philip Habib ended his second mission on the Lebanon crisis and left for home, declaring that the immediate danger of war had receded. He said he would begin a third trip to the region after consultations in Washington.