LEBANON/ISRAEL: DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO SOLVE CONFLICT COULD BE NEAR

(25 Apr 1996) English/Nat An agreement to end two weeks of bloody violence between Israeli troops and Hezbollah in Lebanon seems to be taking shape. Both the US and France, involved in diplomatic efforts to solve the conflict, indicated a ceasefire could be near even though difficult problems remained. But as the mediation efforts continued, there was no let-up in the fighting with Israel attacking villages clustered around the inland market town of Nabatiyeh. As diplomatic efforts to bring peace to southern Lebanon dragged on, Israeli forces struck hard at Hezbollah strongholds in the south. Israeli warplanes staged bombing raids as artillery positions fired on villages around Tyre and Nabatiyeh. At least 151 people, mostly Lebanese civilians, have been killed since Israel launched Operation Grapes of Wrath on 11 April in retaliation for Hezbollah attacks. About 320 have been wounded on both sides and nearly 500-thousand Lebanese have become homeless. Efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict continue, with both US and French envoys trying to mediate. US Secretary of State Warren Christopher arrived in Lebanon Wednesday to discuss peace initiatives with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Christopher has been shuttling between Israel and Syria, the dominant power in Lebanon, since Saturday. But both countries are pushing for changes in the US peace plan. Christopher said he was requested by President Clinton to cut short a planned trip to Moscow in order to demonstrate America's concern in the conflict. SOUNDBITE: "I believe it was vital that I come to Lebanon to demonstrate America's deep concern for the Lebanese people and to reaffirm United States support for Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity." SUPER CAPTION: US Secretary of State Warren Christopher He added the priority to any diplomatic negotiation was to limit further bloodshed to the civilian population. SOUNDBITE: "Prime Minister, the speaker and I fully agree that the most important thing that we can do is to end the fighting and create conditions in which Lebanese citizens can return to their homes. This is exactly why President Clinton asked me to divert from my other duties, my trip to Moscow and to come here to seek a ceasefire and put together an enduring arrangement that will restore calm and protect civilians on both sides of the Lebanese border. I believe that the very intensive effort the United States has launched in the last several days offers a real chance to achieve the objectives that we've laid out." SUPER CAPTION: US Secretary of State Warren Christopher The Lebanese prime minister spoke about the tremendous loss of innocent lives. SOUNDBITE: We have explained to Mr. Christopher that Lebanon despite all what happened and what is happening now is looking towards the peace. But we hope that the United States will play as soon as possible, the role of stopping this violence where the civilians are killed and the infrastructure of this country is under destruction." SUPER CAPTION: Rafik Hariri, Lebanese Prime Minister Latest reports suggest an agreement to end two weeks of violence between Israel and Hezbollah may be taking shape. Both the US and France indicated a ceasefire might be near, although Christopher warned that difficult problems remained. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...