News In Brief

French paratrooper killed during ambush in Beirut

A French paratrooper was killed Tuesday in an ambush of a French convoy passing through central Beirut. It was the second attack on French troops in Beirut in three days. Meanwhile, US aircraft were fired on as they made reconnaissance flights over the mountains east of Beirut, and American warships retaliated by shelling anti-aircraft positions.

A special Lebanese committee set to discuss the planned reopening of Beirut's airport failed to meet.