Iranian Links Hostage Issue to End of Fighting

An Iranian mediator seeking to end 13 days of fighting between rival Shia Muslim militias said today that the problem of foreign hostages in Lebanon would be solved if the combat stopped.

Ali Mohammed Besharati, Iran’s acting foreign minister, told reporters: “The case of kidnaping (of foreigners) in Lebanon is part of the crisis which Lebanon is passing through. I believe that if we could end the state of war currently prevailing, then definitely the other case would be solved too.”

He made the statement in response to reporters’ questions after a meeting with Salim Hoss, Lebanon’s acting premier. Besharati would not elaborate on the issue of the hostages, most of whom are believed held by extremists loyal to Iran.

Most of the 18 hostages, including nine Americans, are believed held in Beirut’s southern slums, where fighting between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah (Party of God) and the Syrian-backed Amal has raged since May 6.

Syrian Deployment

Lebanese security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that during the meeting with Hoss, Besharati sought support for an Iranian proposal to end the militia battles.

One source said Besharati proposed a compromise agreement for partial deployment of the Syrian army in south Beirut to halt the bloodshed that has killed 243 people and wounded 762.

The plan under consideration envisages a Syrian deployment in the northern districts of the southern slums, where Amal still holds positions after being dislodged from 90% of the 16-square-mile enclave, the source said. The source spoke on condition of anonymity.

He said the Syrians “will not deploy” in the southern sector of the disputed area, where Hezbollah has its main bases.