Khaddam said on returning from Moscow last week that Syria would demand an unconditional Israeli withdrawal and abrogation of the May 17 accord as well as withdrawal of the multinational peace-keeping force from Lebanon.
President Amin Gemayel planned to meet with Cabinet members today to discuss the outcome of talks Wednesday with Syrian Foreign Minister Abdel Halim Khaddam on the escalation of fighting.
Syrian-controlled Druze militiamen rained mortar shells and rockets on the capital all day Wednesday, stopping briefly during what the Syrian minister described as ‘brotherly’ talks with Gemayel on cease-fire violations.
‘We’ve agreed upon a number of practical measures and a meeting will take place between military representatives to consolidate the cease-fire,’ Khaddam said later.
He also said Monday’s postponed meeting between Gemayel and Syrian President Hafez Assad would take place as soon as Assad recovers from what Syrian officials said was an appendectomy.
Hours after Khaddam left the palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Druze militiamen armed with Syrian weapons bombarded the area, scoring a direct hit on the Defense Ministry only yards from the presidential palace.
