CLOSED SHOPS, CAFES ETC : PEOPLE STROLLING IN STREET : PEOPLE SEATED SMOCKING HUBBLE-BUBBLE IN STREET : PEOPLE READING NEWSPAPERS : TRAFFIC : REFUGEES LEAVING AREA : SIDON HARBOUR




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RE PHONER PLSE COLLECT AND OFFER FOR EVN-1 LEBANON MATERIAL ON 251 EX BEIRUT AWB 076-18463955 RPT 076-1846355 200 FT VNF NORMAL. RGDS

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Background: THE SOUTHERN LEBANESE PORT OF SIDON WAS PARALYSED TODAY (27/8) BY A GENERAL STRIKE IN PROTEST AGAINST CLASHES BETWEEN TWO PALESTINIAN COMMANDO ORGANISATIONS YESTERDAY (26/8). TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND AT LEAST 10 WERE WOUNDED BY LEBANESE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT. A COALITION OF LEFTIST PARTIES AND ORGANISATIONS WHO HAVE FOUGHT WITH THE COMMANDOS AGAINST LEBANESE RIGHTIST MILITIA AND ISRAEL. SHOPS AND CAFES IN THE CITY WERE CLOSED, BUT EARLY REPORTS SAY THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCIDENTS OR FURTHER CLASHES.