LEBANON: ANCIENT ROMAN CITY OF BAALBEK DAMAGED IN FIGHTING BETWEEN SYRIAN AND LEFT-WING FORCES.

Record ID: 375966

  • Title: LEBANON: ANCIENT ROMAN CITY OF BAALBEK DAMAGED IN FIGHTING BETWEEN SYRIAN AND LEFT-WING FORCES.
  • Date: 18th July 1976
  • Summary: 1. GV PAN FROM Roman column TO Remains of ancient city 0.11 2. TV Syrian troops walking through ruins 0.27 3. SV PAN AROUND Tops of columns and wreckage, PAN DOWN TO syrian troops (3 shots) 1.12 4. SV ZOOM TO Shell damage on column 1.17 5. SV PAN UP FROM Shells on ground TO Damaged column (2 shots) 1.31 6. SV Damaged arch on top of column 1.33 7. CU ZOOM OUT FROM Barbed wire TO Remains of building (2 shots) 1.50 The paper quoted what it called reliable Arab diplomatic sources. It said the Soviet Union had threatened other measures if the Syrian military intervention continues. A Soviet Embassy spokesman said he had nothing to confirm. Initials CL/1845 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 2nd August 1976 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAALBEK, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Reuters ID: LVAC2V28BKLQLP0H4N0CXN9ZOVQL
  • Story Text: The ruins of the ancient Roman city of Baalbek, one of Lebanon's most famous tourist attractions, have been further damaged in fighting between Syrian and left-wing forces.

    SYNOPSIS: A Palestinian spokesman in Beirut said there had been fighting in Baalbek for two days between Syrian forces and the leftist and Palestinian allies. The ruins themselves show some damage, and empty shell cases lying about show signs of fighting. But the Syrians say they have only 20 troops in the area. Religious and political leaders in the region have denied reports of clashes.

    The Palestinian spokesman said there had been casualties on both sides of the fighting in Baalbek, which is the capital of the fertile Bekaa Valley, 55 miles (90 km) east of Beirut. Travellers from Baalbek said there was some fighting inside the city and Syrian tanks and troops were arresting at entrances to Baalbek. Syrian troops are also reported to be holding positions in the hills around Baalbek.

    But the city authorities have vigorously denied the reports. Sheikh Soliman Al-Yahfofi, the Moslem religious leader of Baalbek, said that order and stability had prevailed. He denied reports of fighting and destruction of the city by Syrian rockets and insisted that Baalbek and its historic Roman ruins had not been damaged.

    Sheikh Soliman said he had headed a committee of religious people and local businessmen which, at a meeting with Syrian commanders, earlier had agreed to allow Syrian troops to enter the city peacefully.

    Meanwhile the pro-Libyan newspaper As-Safir reported in Beirut that the Soviet Union had cut off shipments of arms, ammunition and spare parts to Syria until it withdrew all its troops from Lebanon, Syria has previously said it would withdraw, but fighting continues.
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