LEBANON: ‘Amal-Hizballah Clash Over Kidnaping
Ama''s efforts to focate Lieutenant Colonel Higgins have
triggered clashes with Hizballah, which could deeply polarize
fugdeedsqese Shia communlty—probably to Hizballah’s beneil
ae
Amal groups reportedly forced their way into several Hizballah anc
he
“ ‘West Beirut. ¥
:
> re
ER = cre ng of Higgins near Tyre—an area ostensibly
nirol —ilystrates the decline of the once-dominant
organization's politcal Influence, Even though Amal militia chief Nabin
Earrl apparently Is pushing hard to find Higgins, his clout In southern
Lebanon probably is less than that of popular Tyre Amal militia leader
Saud Oaed, who fesuned rom arel Solorerabiagt txtyeseae 4 7p 2
Higgins lg stil being held in southern al (p3
a re cory ein a Hozalo near re
Byer ine nrasp of Amal lorces, even those loyal to Daud 3
Continuing clashes between the two Shia groups could well favor
Hizballah. It has been providing substantial economic aid and social
welfare programs to the southern Shia, effectively giving it-g political