According to Syrian human-rights observers, more than thirteen hundred civilians and more than three hundred members of the security forces have been killed since March 18th.

The trucks, carring aid donated by Kuwait, made it to the starving inhabitants under supervision of Syrian military observers.

Many Syrian observers are thinking this is a cynical ploy because of the regime's track record.

Italian Embassy officials and Syrian military observers were also present at the news conference.

Syrian military observers, however, are deployed alongside Lebanese regulars and policeman on the southern coastal highway between here and Sidon.

Syrian military observers, who took charge of preserving order in West Beirut last July, persuaded officials of the two sides to recall their men in an effort to stop the violence.

Even the limited opening of the usually closed trial to Syrian and foreign observers was seen as a sign of liberalization.

Mediators Come Under Fire Committees of Iranian Embassy officials and Syrian military observers came under fire as they tried to enforce a truce on the battlefield.

Three truckloads of food escorted by Syrian and Iranian observers rolled early today into a besieged refugee district where thousands of Palestinians had been reported to be starving.

A delegation of Palestinians, Lebanese leftists and Syrian military observers entered Shatila today to arrange a cease-fire.