Israel Matzav

Now that Hezbullah's in charge, Lebanon wants US aid

With Hezbullah wielding veto power over his cabinet, and controlling his army and his foreign ministry, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman heads to Washington this week to ask for US aid and sophisticated weaponry.

The United States has long provided military assistance to Lebanon - including $410 million to the military and the police. But America has not handed over any sophisticated arms for fear they could end up in the hands of Hezbollah, which the U.S. lists as a terrorist group.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, the military assistance over the past years includes aircraft, tanks, artillery, small boats, infantry weapons, ammunition, Humvees and cargo trucks. It adds that the U.S. will provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with 12 Raven unmanned reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft in the coming months.

There have also been reports that American training and equipment aided Lebanon uncover a large Israeli spy ring in the country this year.

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Hisham Jaber, who heads the Middle East Center for Studies and Public Relations in Beirut, said Suleiman's appeal is part of his work to develop a national defense strategy that would eventually integrate Hezbollah weapons into the army.

"You cannot speak about a defense strategy and disarming the resistance without the presence of a strong army," Jaber told The Associated Press.

The trip to Washington was announced earlier this month, before the Lebanese parliament approved a national unity government that will allow Hezbollah to keep its weapons despite strong criticism from pro-Western lawmakers.

What could go wrong?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:47 PM