Salvoran toll rises; teachers on strike

At least 17 persons are now reported to have been killed in two days of clashes between left-wing militants and security forces in the tiny Central American republic of El Salvador. As concern increased that a left-wing campaign against the ruling junta would lead to civil war, the country's teachers announced they would begin a 48-hour strike Thursday.

Members of the Popular League of February 28 seized the Panamanian Embassy Wednesday, taking the ambassador and two other staff members hostage. Another militant group occupied government offices and held 400 people captive.

The government has torn up an agreement it reached with militant students to secure the release of 12 hostages held at the Education Ministry. The junta said it could not honor an agreement signed under pressure.