Naharnet Newsdesk - French Troops Honor Comrades Killed in Beirut Suicide Bombing

French Troops Honor Comrades Killed in Beirut Suicide Bombing

French troops serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon have commemorated comrades who fell victim to a suicide bombing on Oct. 23, 1983, in Beirut, which claimed the lives of 58 paratroopers from France.

The international peacekeepers traveled from the South to the French Ambassadorial residence in Beirut, or Le Palais des Pins, to stage a parade Saturday, marking the 20th anniversary of the carnage.

The attack in the Jnah area of Beirut was staged simultaneously with another suicide bombing that targeted the headquarters of the U.S. Marines at Beirut International Airport, killing 241 American servicemen. The twin bombings led to the withdrawal of the so-called Multi-National Peacekeeping Force from Lebanon four months later.

Beirut, Updated 27 Oct 03, 12:11