1.
GV PAN Al Hayan village in ruins (3 shots)
0.30

2.
SV PULL OUT TO GV wrecked United Nations disengagement observation force building
0.32

3.
GV UN vehicles and tanks move along road (3 shots)
0.51

4.
CU Major Saad Haddad, South Lebanese Falangist militia leader speaking in English
1.53


HADDAD: "It is a comedy. They have to complete their comedy. It is an actor from a comedy played in the Middle East. I am not going to allow the poor United Nations forces to enter and pass through my area. If they have to come, well then, they have to come from the north. They can come from Beirut, if the Lebanese give them the right. If they do, they have to show them the road, and show them the road from Beirut to the Litani River."



REPORTER: "Major Haddad, What measures are you going to take to prevent the United Nations coming in?"



HADDAD: "I have my, I would like, I don't like to make fight with them. I would like to convince them to go back, and make them understand that they are, they will enter ... they are abusing my (INDISTINCT).



REPORTER: "Would you be prepared to fight them if they did still come through? Would you be prepared to fight with the U.N. forces if they insist?"



HADDAD: "I hope I don't arrive at this point, but if I am obliged, I will do."



Despite their resolve to resist the United Nations forces, the Falangists allowed them by without dispute, Reuters reported on Wednesday evening from southern Lebanon. In Tel Aviv, the Israeli Defence Minister, Mr. Ezer Weizman, said that, before the ceasefire, Israel had destroyed terrorist bases, killed Fatah guerrillas, and captured large amounts of arms and ammunition. In a radio interview, he described these as benefits gained from the invasion. In several countries outside the Middle East, moves were underway on Wednesday to help the United Nations with its peace attempt. A contingent of French paratroopers was due to leave Toulouse on Wednesday night for Lebanon, and Sweden's Cabinet has approved the transfer of a contingent of Swedish troops from U.N. duties in Sinai to Lebanon.




Initials EP/2440


TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: After Israel's declaration of a ceasefire in the South Lebanon, the first United Nations peace-keeping troops moved into the area on Wednesday (March 22). The move came amid reports of some continued fighting, but observers say the ceasefire if generally being observed.

SYNOPSIS: Villages like this one, Al Hayan, the scene of violent fighting during the week-long Israeli advance into southern Lebanon, were quiet as both sides ceased shooting. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation gave no immediate official word on whether it would observe the ceasefire declared by Israel on Wednesday night. But front-line commandos of Fatah, the largest commando group, have been ordered to fire only if fired upon.

The first contingent of 4,000 Iranians, who will form the U.N. peacekeeping force, crossed into Lebanon from Israel. They were applauded by Moslem villagers, though earlier leaders of the Christian Falangist forces in the region had threatened to resist them. Major Saad Haddad, Falangist commander, explained why.