STUDENTS WITH BANNERS; FLAG AND PEOPLE IN UNESCO BUILDING; POLICE; DEMONSTRATORS DISPERSING.




Initials SA/VS/JF/ES



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Background: A LARGE GROUP OF STUDENTS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE UNESCO BUILDING IN BEIRUT YESTERDAY (11 NOVEMBER) WHEN THEY EXPECTED TO BE ADDRESSED BY PRIME MINISTER DR. ABDULLAH YAFI. IT WAS THOUGHT THAT DR. YAFI WOULD URGE THE STUDENTS TO CONFINE THEIR DEMANDS TO SUPPORT ARAB COMMANDOS WITHOUT REFERRING TO DELICATE LOCAL ISSUES.

THE STUDENTS PREPARATORY COMMITTEE PLANNED TO DEMONSTRATE IN PROTEST AGAINST INCIDENTS LAST WEEK REPORTEDLY BETWEEN STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PHALANGIST PARTY OF THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR PIERRE GEMAYEL. SPOKESMEN FOR THE PHALANGIST PARTY DENIED ANY CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENTS. DR. YAFI SAID THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT FORBID DEMONSTRATIONS PROVIDED THAT ORDER AND SECURITY ARE MAINTAINED BY THE DEMONSTRATORS, BUT HE DID NOT APPEAR TO SPEAK TO THE STUDENTS.

MANY OF THE STUDENTS CARRIED BANNERS, SOME READ "1948 CHILDREN 1968 COMMANDOS". THE GENERAL UNION OF PALESTINIAN STUDENTS IN LEBANON DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMONSTRATION.

LINES OF POLICE STOOD BY BUT THE DEMONSTRATORS DISPERSED WITHOUT CAUSING TROUBLE.