US, Israel, and Egypt plan to form Sinai peace force

May 21, 1981

Egypt, Israel, and the United States have agreed on formation of a multinatonal peacekeeping force to patrol the borders of Sinai when Israel withdraws next April. The force of three battlions' strength will be led by an American civilian, and its troops will be drawn from the armies of the participating countries. The force's military commander will be a non-American selected from the other countries contributing to it.

Michael Sterner, deputy US assistant secretary of state, has been shuttling between Egypt and Israel to defin e the size, functions, and composition of the force.