A Palestine Liberation Organization mediation team seeking to end the rebellion against Yasser Arafat returned to Damascus Thursday after meeting with the beleaguered guerrilla leader.
The mediation committee flew to Tunis Wednesday after discussions in Syria. Throughout most of the night and Thursday the members discussed the crisis of PLO leadership with Arafat and members of his executive committee.
The committee’s statement emphasized that Syrian Foreign Minister Abdul-Halim Khaddam had informed the committee of his country’s intention to maintain ‘fraternal relations’ with the PLO.
Syria expelled Arafat from the country two weeks ago after he accused the government of supporting the PLO dissidents who want to overthrow him.
The dissidents claim that Arafat has grown too moderate in his pursuit of the armed struggle against Israel.
