Thanks to Habib

Philip Habib has received from President Reagan the highest honor his country can give, the Medal of Freedom. But his rewards go beyond this well-deserved recognition of his service as special envoy in Lebanon. They lie in the hearts of those whose lives or loved ones were saved by his tireless negotiations to end the fighting in west Beirut - and of those far from the scene praying for peace where there was no peace.

Now this brave and painstaking man is expected to return to Lebanon later this month to work out the withdrawal of the remaining foreign forces. He is owed the full support not only of the government that gave him the medal but of the parties to the conflict and the world community which stand to gain once more through his good offices.