According to news reports from 1981, the population of the city of Zahle was mostly Greek Catholic (New York Times 23 Apr. 1981; UPI 6 Apr. 1981). Reuters reported that the town's population was mostly "Greek Catholic [Melchite]" (30 June 1981)

The following part of this Response deals with the armed conflict between the Lebanese Phalangist (Falangist) militia and the Syrian armed forces in and around Zahle from 1 April to 30 June 1981.

A 2 April 1981 United Press International (UPI) dispatch reported an escalation of conflict between the Phalangist militia and Syrian troops in Beirut and Zahle. Phalangist sources said that about 20 people had been killed and 58 wounded in Zahle, and radio reports stated that Zahle was "surrounded by Syrian tanks which were attempting to enter the city from the north and the east." A cease-fire went into effect in Beirut and Zahle on 3 April, after 89 people were killed and 275 injured, according to Phalangist sources and the Lebanese police (ibid. 3 Apr. 1981). The fighting, which was characterized by intense artillery fire, had started on 1 April, when Syrian forces attempted to remove Phalangist troops from Zahle in order to prevent them from building a road which would have permitted them to link up with other Christian strongholds (ibid.). The cease-fire went into effect at 7:00 PM local time, after discussions between Lebanese president Elias Sarkis and Syrian president Hafez Assad (ibid.).

On 4 April fighting began again in Beirut and Zahle, nine hours after the previous day's cease-fire began (UPI 4 Apr. 1981). According to Phalangist sources, Syrian forces launched a ground assault against Zahle, supported by helicopter gunships, and hundreds of Syrian tanks were observed crossing the border into Lebanon (ibid.). Phalangist leader Bashir Gemayel stated that Syria was waging a "war of extermination against Zahle," and Lebanese Maronite religious leaders issued a statement from the patriarchate at Bkerke calling for United Nations intervention to stop the fighting (ibid.). Lebanese police estimated that over 150 people were killed in the fighting from 1 April to the night of 5 April, and about 400 were wounded (ibid. 6 Apr. 1981).

On 9 April another cease-fire went into effect, but Walid Jumblatt, the leader of Lebanon's "leftist-Moslem alliance," stated that Phalangist forces were not allowing civilians to leave Zahle, which made him think that fighting would soon resume (UPI 10 Apr. 1981). Lebanese police said on 9 April that 265 people had been killed and over 1,000 wounded in fighting since 1 April (ibid.).

On 12 April fighting was reported in the hills around Zahle, as Syrian forces tried to cut off any lines of communication between Phalangist forces based in Zahle and other Phalangist positions (AP 12 Apr. 1981). Syrian commanders reportedly interpreted the cease-fire as applying only to the city of Zahle, not the surrounding area (ibid.). On 22 April 1981 the New York Times reported renewed fighting in and around Zahle, including shelling of the city by Syrian forces. Local officials reported seven Zahle residents killed. The New York Times added that Christian bishops in Zahle had

issued appeals to President Reagan, the Soviet leadership and President Valery Giscard d'Estaing of France for "rapid intervention" to stop the hostilities.

Syrian forces, meanwhile, reportedly insisted that the 300 Christian militiamen still in Zahle should leave the city (ibid.).

Christian sources reported on 29 April that Syrian forces had launched artillery barrages in the Zahle area, killing 12 people and wounding 46, after Israeli planes shot down two Syrian helicopters on 28 April (AP 29 Apr. 1981).

On 30 June 1981 news reports stated that the Syrian siege of Zahle had ended on that day, as about 300 "Lebanese gendarmes" entered the city (UPI 30 June 1981). Ninety-five Phalangist militiamen were then escorted out of the city, put on buses, and turned over to Phalangist leaders. The ending of the siege was the result of negotiations involving the Lebanese government and the Arab League (ibid.; Reuters 30 June 1981). Under the terms of the agreement, Lebanese government forces would control the city of Zahle and the approaching roads, while Syrian forces would maintain a presence in the surrounding hills (UPI 30 June 1981).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Associated Press (AP). 29 April 1981. PM Cycle. Farouk Nassar. "Israeli Jets Patrol Lebanon; Syria, Christians Talk Peace." (NEXIS)

_____. 12 April 1981. AM Cycle. "Syrians, Christians Battle Hill to Hill." (NEXIS)

_____. 10 April 1981. AM Cycle. Alex Efty. "Israel Strikes in Southern Lebanon, Syrian-Christian Cease-Fire Holding." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 30 June 1981. AM Cycle. Jeremy Clift. "About 300 Lebanese security troops ..." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 30 June 1981. PM Cycle. Vincent J. Schodolski. "Lebanese security forces took control ... " (NEXIS)

_____. 4 April 1981. AM Cycle. David Zenian. "Syrian peacekeeping troops ... " (NEXIS)

_____. 3 April 1981. AM Cycle. Vincent J. Schodolski. "A cease-fire took hold in Beirut ... " (NEXIS)

_____. 2 April 1981. PM Cycle. David Zenian. "Syrian troops of the Arab peacekeeping force ... " (NEXIS)