July 24, 1958
MIDDLE EAST CRISIS: Despite the military mobilizations by the major powers and threats from both sides, people around the world are beginning to feel that the crisis in the Middle East will be able to be resolved politically. None of the rival parties appears willing to pass the point of no return. Yesterday, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a statement to the US forces that have landed in the Lebanon, emphasized that his country had no hostile intentions against any other. «We came to Lebanon,» said Eisenhower, «as friends, in order to help the people of Lebanon remain free. We will stay there until that small nation is able to consolidate its territorial integrity and independence.» The president expressed his regret that the United Nations had not been able to reach a decision about sending a permanent military force to the Middle East. All reports from Beirut indicate that after the first moments of confusion among the revolutionary ranks, their forces have already mounted an attack upon the American troops. A sniper managed to down an American airplane just 10 miles south of Beirut. It was the most serious incident so far between the Americans and the rebels since the former landed.
