News In Brief

Lebanese legislators work on policy after new strife

Parliament resumed debate Monday on a policy statement by Lebanon's new coalition government amid the worst fighting in the Beirut area since February. Local radio stations said at least 32 civilians were killed in artillery battles between Muslim and Christian militiamen.

The fighting wounded 150 people in residential areas of the Lebanese capital, the radio reports said. Several apartment buildings were reportedly set afire.

Shells and rockets crashed around President Amin Gemayel's government palace in suburban Baabda and near Prime Minister Rashid Karami's offices in west Beirut. Police said neither Mr. Gemayel nor Mr. Karami was injured.