1.
GV EXTERIOR: mosque in Beirut, PAN TO ruined building opposite (2 shots)
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2.
GV: Prime Minister Selim Al-Hoss arrives with Mufti Hassan Khaled and enters mosque.
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3.
SV: Al Moribitoun political leader Ibrahim Koleitat seated during prayers.
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SV, GV: prayers in progress (4 shots)
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GV: Amman mosque
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6.
CU: Sheikh reading prayers while others pray. (3 shots)
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7.
GV: gathering shakes hands after praying.
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Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In Lebanon and Jordan, special prayers were offered on Wednesday (14 September) to celebrate the feast of Eid Al-Fitr which marks the end of the holy month of Ramdan. King Hussein of Jordan and Prime Minister Selim Al-Hoss of Lebanon were among the worshippers. During Ramadan, Moslems demonstrate their faith by forsaking food, drink and tobacco from sunrise to sunset. They must also abstain from sex when fasting.

SYNOPSIS: In the Lebanese capital of Beirut, prayers were offered at the Grand Omari mosque in the city centre. The old mosque was devastated during the civil war, and the prayers were the first since the end of fighting last November.

Regular prayers were held at the mosque before hostilities broke out. Among Wednesday's large congregation were, Mr selim Al-Hoss who arrived with the Mufti-Moslem religious leader - of Lebanon, Sheikh Hassan Khaled.

The service was also attended by government Ministers and other prominent personalities.

Addressing the congregation, the Mufti called for goodwill and accord among his countrymen. He said that the Lebanese owed allegiance to their homeland, rather than to the policy of any community.

In neighbouring Jordan, King Hussein joined armed forces officers in prayers. But the King cancelled all celebrations and official activities because of the situation in the Middle East. A statement issued by the Royal Court said only religious functions would be observed.

A large congregation offered prayers at the El Hussein Grand mosque in the Jordanian capital of Amman.

In Damascus, the Syrian capital, President Hafiz Al-Assad of Syria joined in the payers at the Grand Omayyad mosque. The ceremony was also attended by Syrian Prime Minister Abdel Rahman Khaleifawi, Cabinet Ministers and ruling Baath Party leaders and senior officials.

President Assam exchanged cables of good wishes with the Heads of Arab and Moslem States.

In a sermon, Syria's Minister of Islamic Endowments, Sheikh Abdul Sattar Al-Sayyed, urged Arabs and Moslems to close ranks for the 'liberation of occupied Arab territory' and recovery of what he described as 'usurped rights and Jerusalem".