- Title: LEBANON: STUDENTS PROTEST OVER EGYPT/ISRAEL CONFERENCE AT UNIVERSITY RALLY.
- Date: 17th December 1977
- Summary: 1. GV INT. Students chanting, Beirut Arab University. 0.08 2. MCU Students' Union leader speaking (3 shots) 0.38 3. GV Students cheering and applauding. 0.45 4. MCU Students' Union leader speaking. 1.10 5. GV Student chanting 1.15 6. LV EXT University building. 1.26 President Sadat was expected to make an important announce
- Embargoed: 1st January 1978 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BEIRUT, LEBANON
- Country: Lebanon
- Reuters ID: LVADKFSHWJHKOYVVTOMX73T7U2XQ
- Story Text: Israeli premier Menachem Begin is reported to be planning a second meeting with Egypt's President Anwar Sadat. A spokesman at Mr.Begin's office said it was hoped the meeting could take place in about two weeks' time. Reactions in the Arab world have been continuing to President Sadat's recent peace initiative, and the resulting Cairo peace conference between Egypt and Israel. When the conference opened last week, students in some parts of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, went on strike in protest.
SYNOPSIS: A rally was held at the Beirut Arab University and attracted about 660 sympathisers. The speakers, who included the leader of the Egyptian Students' Union in Lebanon, condemned the Cairo talks and criticised President Sadat. Lebanon is one of the countries that have boycotted the Cairo conference between Egyptian and Israeli delegates, also being attended by United Nations and United States representatives. Syria, Jordan, the Soviet Union, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation have also refused to take part. While the students' protest continued, Palestinians at some refugee camps staged silent marches to denounce the conference.
In the southern port of Sidon, refugees, students and Leftist parties and organisations joined in a march against the talks.
The protests were staged the day after U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance had left Beirut of his Middle East tour. The tour, which also covered Egypt, Israel, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, was designed to try to reduce Arab opposition to the Sadat initiative.
Extra security measures were taken to protect the Egyptian embassy in Beirut while the protests were taking place. Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Fuad Butros, said the measures were taken following reports that action had been planned against the embassy and its staff.
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