Syria, the prime backer of Lebanese groups opposed to to the U.S.-supported government of President Amin Gemayel, told President Reagan’s new Middle East envoy Sunday that it would not alter its policies.
Donald Rumsfeld, the envoy, met with Syrian Foreign Minister Abdel Halim Khaddam, who told him Syria would continue following a policy aimed at thwarting implementation of the May 17 Israeli-Lebanese troop withdrawal agreement.
State-run Damascus radio quoted Khaddam as telling Rumsfeld that ‘Syria’s policy is immovable regarding Lebanon, based on the return of Lebanese unity and sovereignty, and the realization of the total withdrawal of Israeli forces occupying Lebanon, without conditions or gains from their (1982) invasion.’
The U.S.-negotiated Israeli-Lebanese agreement provides for Israel to pull its forces out of south Lebanon if some 40,000 Syrian troops and 9,000 Palestinian fighters are also withdrawn.
The agreement gives Israel patrol rights in south Lebanon and provides for eventual normal Israeli-Lebanese relations. Syria says the pact endangers Syrian security and violates Lebanese sovereignty.
Syria has considerable leverage in Lebanon. It backs the Lebanese Druze Moslem and Shiite Moslem militiamen whose attacks have prevented Gemayel’s government from establishing itself as the dominant authority in the country.
