Joint forces of Israeli troops and Rightist militiamen have continued to act freely in Southern Lebanon. Recently (August 10). They attacked an area near Tyre and blew up a house, demonstrating their ability to frustrate the efforts of both the United Nations forces and the Lebanese Army to prevent armed clashes in the region. But the Lebanese army has been training to play a greater role in asserting the Beirut government's authority throughout the country.

SYNOPSIS: Throughout Lebanon the Lebanese Army has been one of the leas active participants in the struggles between warring factions. And even the capital Beirut has been dominated by Syrians in the Arab peacekeeping force, and right-wing militias. But these Lebanese government troops and nearby Dahr al Baidar are preparing for a more active role in Beirut's central and harbour districts.

But the vigour and enthusiasm of these troops has not so far brought success in ass?? the government's authority. Instead the country is controlled by a patchwork of factions, each carving out their own freedoms. Israeli-backed right wing militias have declared de facto secession in a nine-mile (15 kilometre) strip beside the Israeli border. To their north UNIFIL troops (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) have been trying to separate the militias from the Palestinians and Lebanese leftists in Central Lebanon. The government's own army had earlier been made less effective through internal conflicts.

But now the Lebanese army, recently reorganised to reduce conflict within their ranks, and supplied with new equipment, is reportedly more able to help establish government control over areas rent by factional conflicts.