U.S. SIXTH FLEET CHECKS BOATS FOR LEBANON

NICOSIA [MENL] -- The U.S. Sixth Fleet is said to be monitoring boats headedfor Lebanon in an effort to block an escape route for Saudi fugitive OsamaBin Laden. Lebanese sources said U.S. naval vessels and F-14 combat aircraft havebeen patrolling the eastern Mediterranean to monitor sea traffic to Lebanon.The sources said the U.S. effort was meant to ensure that Bin Laden or hisAl Qaida combatants could not escape Afghanistan and find a haven inLebanon.