Angered Jumblatt Says He Will Resume Lebanon War

BEIRUT —  A top Muslim militia leader angered by Christian rejection of a Syrian-mediated peace accord announced today that his fighters have resumed Lebanon’s 10-year civil war. Syria blamed President Amin Gemayel for the breakdown of the pact.

“We were hoping we would be able to tell the new generation that peace had come and let’s rebuild together--and here we are going back to the language of the gun,” said Walid Jumblatt, leader of the Progressive Socialist Party.

“We will fight in order to defend our presence,” the Druze chieftain said.

Jumblatt’s comments came a few hours after his militiamen fought tank and heavy artillery battles with army troops loyal to President Amin Gemayel at Souq el Gharb, a garrison town that overlooks Gemayel’s presidential palace.

Jumblatt did not say if an all-out offensive would be launched to oust the army from Souq el Gharb. But there were reports that Syrian-backed leftist militias were moving armored reinforcements into the area. Witnesses said Syrian forces were backing the militias but no new fighting was reported.

The peace agreement, signed Dec. 28 by Jumblatt, Shia Muslim militia leader Nabih Berri and Christian Lebanese Forces militia leader Elie Hobeika, was designed to end 10 years of civil war.

The pact gave Lebanon’s Muslim majority a greater share of power in the government, which traditionally has been controlled by the country’s Christian minority. The pact also reduced the power of the president, traditionally a Christian post.

Gemayel and other Christian leaders rejected the agreement, and Hobeika was ousted by forces loyal to Gemayel and Samir Geagea last week for signing the pact.

The leftist Al Hakika newspaper said the pro-Syrian militias were awaiting permission from Damascus for an all-out offensive to topple Gemayel.

“Thousands of men and dozens of military vehicles are ready for action. . . . The zero hour has not been decided,” the newspaper said.

In a report from Damascus, the pro-Syrian newspaper As Safir said Syrian officials blamed Gemayel for the collapse of the agreement, and added that Syria has abandoned its efforts to prevent a new outbreak of war.