U.S. to request quick military aid for Lebanon

Now if I were a Syrian or Iranian I might call this meddling in Lebanese politics but I'm not so I guess I must say that this is a great step towards making Lebanon a free and democratic country a great beacon and model for the rest of the middle east along with Israel of course.
From what I have read there is no guarantee that the Lebanese army has any intention of slugging it out with Hezbollah so it is not clear what use further military aid will be. However, perhaps it will sway the military towards the U.S.



US to request quick military aid for Lebanon
State Department: US will seek emergency military aid for Lebanon Army
StaffAP News
May 14, 2008 12:51 EST
The Bush administration said Wednesday it wants to speed up U.S. aid for Lebanon's Army because of the recent wave of sectarian fighting.


The administration plans to ask Congress to quickly approve military spending that was already in the works. State Department spokesman Tom Casey would not say how much money the administration is seeking. He also would not say what the money would buy, but previous military grants have gone to buy ammunition, armor and the like.
President Bush telegraphed the request in interviews ahead of his current Mideast trip. He said he wants to beef up the Lebanese Army, but he also expressed disappointment in the Army's recent performance.
The U.S. backs Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora in a political and constitutional struggle with Hezbollah militants. Months of deadlock turned into street fighting last week.
The administration has spent about $1.3 billion in the past two years trying to prop up Saniora's Western-allied government, including about $400 million in military aid.
A senior U.S. military commander was also in Lebanon on Wednesday, meeting with Lebanese military leaders.
No fighting was reported throughout Lebanon on Wednesday, but tensions lingered after Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah demonstrated its military power last week by seizing control of parts of Beirut in a showdown with the U.S.-backed government. It was the worst internal fighting since the end of Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.
A high-powered Arab League delegation mediated between Lebanese factions, to try to end street confrontations that have killed at least 54 people.
Source: AP News