48-Hour Truce Gives Lebanon Breather
Rival Christian militias fighting since January agreed Saturday to a 48-hour truce in a mountainous region north of Beirut to allow civilians to inspect remains of their bombed-out homes.
The truce, mediated by Maronite Catholic priest Bulos Naaman, was enforced mainly to allow the displaced population of the mountain villages of Daraiya and Qlaiaat to check on their homes.
Qlaiaat is controlled by Samir Geagea’s Lebanese Forces, a right-wing coalition of Christian militias. Troops of rebel Maj. Gen. Michel Aoun control Daraiya.
Both sides have used past truces to rest their troops and re-arm.
The cease-fire wil also allow civilians trapped in the two mountain resorts to leave, according to a police spokesman.
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