The World - News from July 13, 1989

Syrian and Christian troops battled around the Lebanese capital of Beirut amid heightening tension over a report that Christian forces expect a new shipment of missiles. Police said 10 people were wounded, including six civilians, in the duel between gunners from the Syrian army and the mainly Christian Lebanese Army. A Beirut newspaper quoted Christian forces as saying that Syria’s navy is waiting to intercept an Iraqi ship carrying air-to-surface missiles for the Christians. It said another Iraqi vessel is carrying Soviet-made Frog 7 surface-to-surface missiles, which could be fired at Damascus. Iraq is Syria’s main Arab rival.