News In Brief

UN chief rejects proposal by Israel on UN troops

United Nations Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar turned down an Israeli proposal Sunday that UN peacekeeping troops serve as a buffer between Israel and Syrian forces in eastern Lebanon.

''The UN is against anything which would signify directly or indirectly the division of Lebanon. We want to have Lebanon in the hands of the Lebanese,'' he said.

On Saturday, Lebanese Prime Minister Rashid Karami said Lebanon is ready to conduct indirect negotiations with Israel to help bring about a withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.