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GV Parliament
0.03

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GV Guards outside Parliament
0.10

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SV Speaker arriving
0.29

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SV Camille Chamoun arriving
0.38

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SV Pierre Gemayel arriving
0.43

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GV Deputies seated (4 shots)
1.04

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GV EXT Parliament
1.07

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SV PAN Soldiers outside
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SV Gamayel leaving
1.25



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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Lebanese Parliament has been meeting again to consider the country's severe internal problems, and one move which has been approved is the banning of private armies in the country. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Elias Sarkis has asked Prime Minister Selim al-Hoss to form a new government.

SYNOPSIS: When Parliament met on Thursday it was to take what has been described as an historic decision. They endorsed a plan drawn up by political leaders which called for the banning of private militias and Palestinian guerrilla activity in Lebanon. As Parliament's Speaker arrived, he was facing a Parliament without Cabinet. The entire Cabinet, made up of technocrats, has resigned to give the politicians a chance to heal the bitter divisions in the community which were deepened by the civil war during 1975 and 1976.

Prime Minister Selim al-Hoss has described Lebanon's current political phase as "critical and fateful". As a direct result of Thursday's decision to approve the plan banning private armies, he has been asked to try again...and to form a new Government...by President Sarkis.

It is difficult task facing Dr. Hoss. He says the responsibilities are huge, but with the help of God, the country will overcome all handicaps. Before starting to make up a new Government he says he will conform to Lebanese tradition, and have talks with the country's previous Prime Ministers.