Families Unite in Effort to Free 6 Held in Beirut

Families of the six Americans still held in Lebanon said Thursday that they have formed a committee to keep public attention focused on the plight of their relatives and to pressure the Reagan Administration to act more vigorously in seeking their release.

“It has become apparent to us that it will be the American public that will ultimately determine at what degree and intensity our government works to obtain the quick release of all of those being held in Lebanon against their will,” said Andy Mihelich, nephew of Father Lawrence Jenco, one of the hostages.

The families said they felt forced to form the committee, which will serve as a clearinghouse for information on the kidnaped hostages, because of what they see as insufficient Administration attention to the hostages and ineffective U.S. policies for dealing with terrorism.