Muslim rebels storm local government building

About 500 well-armed Shiite Muslim rebels, calling for an ''Islamic government'' in Lebanon, stormed the local government building and took control of the center of this eastern Lebanese town.

In the first major challenge to the authority of President Amin Gemayel's government, the rebels warned Lebanese Army forces in the area to stay in their barracks. The rebels said their immediate aim was to prevent local celebrations of Lebanon's Independence Day today (Nov. 22).