Battles in Salvador cities

Government forces and left-wing guerrillas waged fierce battles in two major cities as the Army pushed its offensive to wipe out insurgents in the eastern part of the country, Salvadoran military sources say.

The cities are San Miguel, the nation's third-largest city, and San Vicente.

The Army seemed to have taken control of the situation after the guerrillas retreated from both cities, which had been enveloped in fighting, residents said.

Residents in San Vicente said the insurgents withdrew after distributing pamphlets calling for soldiers to desert the armed forces and join their ranks.