Israel and Lebanon agree to talk; Hussein visits US

By Compiled From Wire Service Dispatches With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Anne Collier

December 21, 1982

Washington

Israeli Defense Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday that Israel and Lebanon had broken a diplomatic impasse and would soon begin talks on normalizing their relations, including a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.

General Sharon's comments in an ABC television interview from Israel came as President Reagan prepared for a meeting today (Dec. 21) in Washington with visiting King Hussein of Jordan, a key figure in United States efforts to achieve a comprehensive Middle East peace. The King had preliminary talks Monday with Secretary of State George Shultz.