Israelis give heavy arms to Beirut Christian forces

Heavy weapons captured by the Israeli Army in west Beirut are being turned over to the Christian militia forces implicated in the massacre in the Sabra and Shatila Palestinian refugee camps, the Washington Post reported.

An Israeli Army spokesman said the weapons are part of a "gigantic" arms supply picked up from some 130 caches around Beirut. The spokesman said part of the supply was left behind by the Palestine Liberation Orgainzation and part belonged to local liftist Lebanese Muslim militiamen who tried to resis the Israeli takeover.

More than 20 people were reportedly injured Thursday when an 800-ton ammunition depor exploded in a ball of fire in Christian east Beirut. The explosion appeared to have been an accident, Phalangist Party radio said.