The bitter fighting in the Lebanese capital,Beirut which has raged for a week killing over 260 people seems to have calmed down.
This followed a meeting on Tuesday (1 JULY) between Prime Minister Rashid Karami and Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Yassir Arafat during which the outline of a ceasefire agreement was reached. Syrian Foreign Minister Abdel Halim Khaddam was also present. Hopes that the fighting could be brought to an end were also strengthened by the Formation on Tuesday of a new six man civilian Cabinet.
