US and French forces aid security sweeps in Beirut

French and Lebanese troops closed west Beirut's main shopping and business areas to all traffic Tuesday in a massive security operation.

The right-wing Voice of Lebanon radio said they were looking for ammunition dumps, but there was no official explanation for the operation. Some reports said the troops were also seeking ''illegal residents.'' The US Marines followed suit at the Beirut airport, cordoning off the area with barbed wire.