As it became plain that the U.S. could not bring stability to
Lebanon, President Reagan's administration decided to
move the Marines gradually to the Sixth Fleet offshore and
step up the U.S. warships firing on rebel and Syrian positions
around Beirut. On February 7, the White House announced
the stepped-up redeployment and the next day the battleship
New Jersey opened up with a massive bombardment of Sy-
rian targets east of Beirut to enhance the safety of the
Marines. The Marines were glad to leave for home, but their
withdrawal triggered fierce fighting involving Shiite and
Druse militiamen, Christians and Phalangists who mas-
sacred scores of civilians.
- P.O. Box 314, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Published by Coral-Lee
CL-RR. SER. #83
SC18568-Colorphoto: C. Spengler
Sygma
Mike Roberts Color Productions
STM Oakland, CA 94623
U.S.A.
