The World - News from May 3, 1989

Lebanon’s Christian leader, Maj. Gen. Michel Aoun, said he may compromise with Muslim militias to end the fighting in Beirut but will pursue diplomatic channels to oust Syrian troops from Lebanon. Aoun, commander of Lebanon’s mainly Christian army, said he will consider lifting a blockade of three ports operated by Syrian-backed Muslim militias to try to end the current round of bitter fighting. As he spoke at a news conference, shelling duels continued between Christian gunners and an alliance of Druze militia and Syrian troops who have ignored Friday’s cease-fire call by the Arab League. Police said at least two people were killed and eight wounded in the day of conflict.