1.
GV Security forces driving tanks towards conference building in Shtoura (2 shots)
0.18

2.
SV Tanks taking up positions outside Park Hotel
0.26

3.
SV ZOOM OUT FROM Lebanese flag on Park Hotel TO security forces
0.34

4.
SV Arab League delegation headed by Dr. Hassan Sabri al-Kholi out of car and into building
0.50

5.
SV Security troops move forward as Syrian delegation arrives
1.00

6.
SV Syrian delegation out of car and into building
1.10

7.
GV INT delegates seated at table during talks
1.22

8.
SCU Dr. Kholi at table
1.28

9.
GV Delegates around table during talks and newsmen leaving conference room
1.34

10.
CU Dr. Kholi speaking to newsmen
2.00


REPORTER: "Is there a ceasefire now Doctor or will the fighting go on?"



AL-KHOLI: "Well there is a ceasefire but not respected, from some parties as you know."



REPORTER: "You have not reached a new ceasefire agreement today then?"



AL-KHOLI: "Not today. We want to make a real ceasefire and for this we have to be patient... persistent. Not a final ceasefire, not like the other times."




Initials BB/0330



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: According to the Arab League, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians reached tentative agreement late on Monday (11 October) to end the 18-month-old Lebanese civil war. The announcement followed talks sponsored by the League among the three sides. However, the official Syrian government-controlled news agency -- Sena -- quickly issued a statement casting doubts on the reports of peace talks success.

SYNOPSIS: The peace talks took place at the Syrian-controlled summer resort town of Shtoura, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Beirut and on the main road to Damascus. The various delegations first met on Saturday (9 October) to discuss what appeared to be the most detailed peace plan yet drafted to end the bitter conflict. The Arab League said the peace agreement would be submitted for approval to Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, Lebanese President Elias Sarkis, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Arab League Secretary General Mahmoud Riad.

Arab League peace envoy, Dr. Hassan Sabri al-Kholi -- seen here arriving for another session -- said later that a further meeting would be held on Wednesday (13 October) to sanction the accord. He said the agreement included an expanded Arab League peacekeeping force for Lebanon.

However, the report by the Syrian news agency appeared to contradict the Arab League statement about a successful breakthrough. The news agency said delegates would meet again on Wednesday to discuss issues still under dispute. It did not specify what areas of disagreement remained. The agency also ignored a news conference given by Dr. Kholi when he announced the provisional agreement to end the fighting.

Dr. Kholi also said all parties, had agreed to implement a 1969 cairo accord regulating the presence of Palestinians in Lebanon--a key issue separating the warring factions. The Arab League envoy spoke to reporters about the possibility of a ceasefire.