BEIRUT:Bombs,rockets,andmortarsblazed across war-torn Beirut today [June 30] as the worst civil strife in Lebanon`s violence-studded history escalated despite the ... formation of a new Government to cope with the crisis. Lebanon`s most prominent left-wing leader Kamal Jumblat, left suddenly for Cairo a sign political sources said could be an indication that the leftists already believed the new Government was incapable of stemming the violence that has claimed 175 dead and 600 wounded as it entered its second week. Rocket, mortar and machinegun fire echoed through the city as Lebanese Premiere-designate Rashid Karami conferred with his old political foe, President Camille Chamoun. News agencies [Meanwhile, as reported by our staff reporter,] King Khaled of Saudi Arabia has approved the formation of Pak-Saudi Bank al-Jazira, it was officially announced. ... An agreement for the joint Pak-Saudi venture had been signed by the National Bank of Pakistan and the Saudi co-sponsors in 1973.

This is the first Saudi joint venture in commercial banking with any foreign country and also the first joint venture of any Pakistani bank with Saudi Arabians.