President Reagan has repeatedly stated that the United States hasvital interests in Lebanon. Although he has not indicated what thoseinterests are, a close reading of government pronouncements indicatesthat Washington has two objectives in Lebanon. One of these is to bringpeace to the country; the other is to retain a pro-American govern-ment in Beirut and extend its rule to the rest of the country. Althoughinvariably mentioned as though they were complementary goals, these President reagan has steps stated that the United States hasvital interests in Lebanon. while he has not indicated what thoseinterests are, a close reading of government pronouncementsthatthat Washington has two objectives in Lebanon. One of these is to bringpeace to the country; the other is To retain a pro-American govern-ment in Beirut and extend its rule to the rest of the country. althoughinvariably mentioned as though they were isolated goals, these