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VOLUME 9-10: 1984-1988
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53. Cabinet Communique, 3 March 1985.
The first stage of the IDF withdrawal from Lebanon was completed on 16 February, when the city of Sidon was handed over to local Lebanese units. During the withdrawal, the IDF was subjected to continued terrorist attacks by various militia groups, mainly Shiites. On 3 March, the cabinet resolved to start the second phase, with withdrawal from the Bekaa Valley and sections in the central sector.
The Cabinet also began a discussion on the Egyptian initiative. It was resolved to oppose a preliminary meeting between Egypt, the U.S. and a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation. It was felt that this would be tantamount to opening the door for direct U.S.-PLO talks. Text:
A) At its meeting today, the cabinet decided unanimously to order the IDF to carry out stage B in the redeployment plan to guarantee the safety of the State of Israel's northern border on the basis of the cabinet's decision of 14 January 1985. The prime minister expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the IDF carried out the first stage of the withdrawal.
B) The cabinet began a discussion on the recent contacts with Egyptian government representatives. At the outset of the discussion, the prime minister said that Israel should give a positive response to the possibility of a meeting between an Israeli delegation and a Jordanian delegation which would include Palestinians who are not PLO members. Such a meeting can take place anytime and anywhere. A preliminary meeting between a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation and the U.S. prior to a meeting between such a delegation and an Israeli delegation should be opposed. Coordination should be maintained between Israel and the U.S. regarding widening the sphere of peace in our region, and to act for the advancement of peace and every chance for peace.
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