The World - News from Aug. 25, 1989

Lebanon’s rival Shiite Muslim militias said they have united against a French naval force positioned off the coast of Lebanon, and the radical Hezbollah faction said its response will “horrify everybody” if the warships approach. Hezbollah (Party of God) did not say what it would do, but it has threatened suicide attacks on Western targets and is believed to sponsor Shiite gangs that hold most of the 14 Western hostages. Hezbollah and Amal, a more moderate Shiite militia, have waged a bloody power struggle for the past 16 months but said they are joining forces against “this American-Israeli-French plot.” The French say the ships are to evacuate French citizens in Lebanon if necessary.