The World - News from Sept. 21, 1989

Syria and Iran said they have swung their weight behind an Arab plan to bring peace to Lebanon. “The Syrian and Iranian sides expressed support for efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Lebanon, lift blockades, open Beirut airport, form a committee to supervise the cease-fire and monitor ships to prevent the entry of arms,” said a joint statement, which reflected the main points of a peace plan backed by an Arab League committee trying to end Lebanon’s 14-year civil war. Syria is the main foreign power broker in Lebanon; Iran took part in a recent meeting that announced the formation of an alliance of Muslim and leftist groups. Those forces have been fighting troops of Christian army chief Michel Aoun since March.