After a long meeting with Ambassador Habib, Mr. Sharon announced that most of the hurdles that remained on the way to commencing the P.L.O. withdrawal from Beirut were removed and that all of Israel's demands were met. On 19 August, following a special session, the Cabinet approved the amended draft of the arrangement submitted by Mr. Habib. The Lebanese government also approved the plan. Israel agreed to allow the Syrian troops in Beirut to redeploy in the Beka'a Valley, because they were originally invited by the Lebanese government into Lebanon. Text of Mr. Sharon's remarks follow:
Remarks by Defense Minister Sharon following Beirut meeting with Philip Habib
1. On Israel radio:
Ariel Sharon: "I had a long meeting today with Ambassador Philip Habib, to expedite the arrangements for the terrorists' and the Syrians' removal from west Beirut. During the day we made progress on a number of issues which had remained unsolved from previous meetings, from those same discussions I had with him during the long weeks. There was progress today on those issues which still required a solution, such as the lists of terrorists, the evacuation of the Syrians and those forces associated with them, and most important, the issue of returning the captured pilot and the bodies of our soldiers who were murdered by the terrorists: 5 during Operation "Peace for the Galilee" and 4 after the Litani operation. I think we made some progress on all these issues, and I believe we are likely to attain the biggest achievement of the war: The removal of the terrorists' military and political headquarters, and of the remaining terrorists, from west Beirut - this after we destroyed the terrorists' infrastructure in South Lebanon.
These achievements are first and foremost not achievements from negotiations, but rather primarily achievements by the soldiers of the I.D.F., who have borne a very heavy burden for a long period. But we must remember that in the last phase - the phase which appears to us as likely to be the final phase now - everyone must continue to display patience and full and increased alertness until the very last moment. It is precisely in the last moments when a solution is near that there can be various developments, and this obligates all of us to make a supreme effort. I know that everyone wants to come home, and I myself want our forces to return home as soon as may be; but I want them to come home safely - safely, and after we have really attained the achievement that may be the greatest we could hope for. For this purpose, more effort, more patience, more composure and alertness are required, especially in the final hours. It is hard, I think, to appreciate sufficiently the importance of the effort made by our soldiers, very hard to describe it - but it has borne fruit. Further clarifications are needed, I would say that during the next 24 hours, Ambassador Philip Habib will make the necessary clarifications. The Lebanese Cabinet is scheduled to convene tomorrow, and it should be remembered that the multi-national force's entry is contingent on the Lebanese Government's decision. I would say that the picture will be a lot clearer in the next 24 hours. My assessment is that we are getting close to a solution.
2. On Israel television
... [Philip Habib and I] agreed on nearly all the points of disagreement. Regarding the pilot and the bodies of our soldiers ... Israel's stand is absolutely clear, and the American envoy supports this stand and it is also his position: Not one terrorist will leave [Beirut] - and they have a strong desire to leave ... but not one terrorist will leave, nor will anyone from the multi-national force enter, until the pilot is returned to us alive, along with (we regret) the bodies of our soldiers.
*- Regarding the Syrians' departure (which was also a point of dispute), we have a solution to this problem: The Syrians and the forces associated with them will leave throughout the evacuation - which will take 14 days from the start of the evacuation - together with the other forces, and will not be the last ones [to leave].