Syria Acts To Avoid Border Tiff - 02/12/1961

Associated Press

02 December 1961

 

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syria closed its borders with Lebanon Tuesday to keep out troublemakers after two bomb explosions marred an otherwise peaceful campaign for Friday’s parliamentary elections.

 

The election is the first since an army coup two months ago pulled this country out of its Union with Egypt in Gamal Abdul Nasser’s United Arab Republic.

 

Mamoun Kuzbari, who resigned as provisional president to run for Parliament, said the bomb explosions “were the work of the men of Nasser. We were expecting worse.”

 

Other political leaders said it was obvious the bombs were meant as a harsh warning for the people to stay away from the polls. Pro-Nasser forces probably would claim Syrians do not really want an independent republic if the voting should be light, even though traditionally only 30 to 40 per cent of Syrians normally bother to vote.

 

One of the bombs exploded Wednesday night outside the house of Sabri Assali, premier before the merger with Egypt. Two people in a nearby house were inured.

 

Assali had a narrow escape, having just left the living room when it was sprayed by splintered glass. Assali is running with Kuzbari for Parliament.

 

The other bomb exploded outside the Damascus Officers’ Club.