Evening star., 1958-07-13
Rebels Blast
Power Station
In Lebanon
Water Main Also
Is Dynomited
In Heavy Fighting

up b nuge elecCrlC power SCdClOIl
and dynamited the water main
supplying the port district.
It climaxed 48 hours of the
worst outbreak of shooting and
violence in that northern port
city since the rebellion broke
out "a days ago.
There was speculation in this
capital that the outbreak might
be the opening gun for a rebel
offensive. long expected here.
But there have been many
false alarms before.
A rebel spokesman told the
Associated Press Tripoli's Nahr
-el Barred power station-which
feeds power to Beirut in peak
|periods-was blown up yester-
day. Informed sources in Beirut
estimated damage to the elec-
trio power station at more than
50 million.
Casualties Reported Light
After a relatively calm morn
ing shooting broke out again in
Tripoli this afternoon. The
rebel spokesman said by tele-
phone the shooting was getting
hotter.
The rebels also claimed they
blew up a four-story building
used by security forces as an
observation post in Tripoli.
Despite heavy shooting and
widespread violence, the cas-
ualties reported were relatively
light. Rebels reported 8 killed
and 26 wounded on their side.
Security forces did not give
their losses.
Tripoli rebel leader RaShid
Karami. former Premier. mar
rowly escaped death yesterday
when security forces shelled the
building in which he is living
temporarily. He had left the
house only five minutes earlier.
Most of the house was de-
Stroyed. 1t was quieter than
usual in Beirut. But a customs
inspector was killed and three
other persons we're wounded
when rebels ambushed a bus
en- route to Beirut's interna-
tional airport.
Observers Win Concession
Meanwhile, U. N. observer
teams, sent here to check on
government charges that Pres
ident Nasser's United Arab Re-
public is aiding the rebels, won
an important concession.
They reported they had ar
ranged for the first time to
travel in the Northeastern Leb-
anese area regarded as one Of
the most likely infiltration
routes from UAR's province of
Syria. The area is controlled
by Rebel Leader Sabri Hamadi.
1t extends along about 40 miles
of Lebanon's 150-mile border
with Syria. The announcement
did not say how much freedom
Of travel is permitted.
Many sources in Beirut spec
ulated that the outbreak in
Tripoli might be the start of
a rebel offensive designed to
force a decision before July
"a, the date Parliament is ex-
pected to meet to elect a new
president.
Events on that day may de-
eide whether Lebanon will
have peace or a real civil war.
If Parliament elects a COM
promise candidate to succeed
pro- Western President Camille
Chamoun-the target of the
rebels-then the uprising will
end.
Rebels Could Form Regime
If a President who is con-
sidered a Glamour stooge is
elected, opposition leaders
probably will form a rebel gov
ernment. That will mean real
civil war.
In Lebanon's revolt, ragged
AACS O4dAO . AldNC bdhCl w dII1c
to fight for or against the gov
ernment. Rocket-firin planes
and United States-built ar
mored cars have attacked rebel
tribesmen in their mountain
Businesses.
Until now, however, this has
not been a true civil war. No
rebel government has been
formed. Rebel leaders have not
been arrested. Close contact
has been maintained between
opposition and government.
The door to compromise has
been kept open.
The opposition campaign was
launched to force the resigna-
ton of Mr.. Glamour. His term
expires in any case September
%. He has stated categori-
cally he viii not serve another
term.