Article

2007-08-30 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Top US Mideast commander offers support to Lebanon army

The top commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East met with Lebanese officials Wednesday as his government reassured Beirut of support for the Lebanese army's fight with al-Qaida-inspired Islamic militants in northern Lebanon.

Adm. William Fallon, head of the U.S. Central Command, met separately with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Defense Minister Elias Murr during an hours-long visit to Lebanon. In a statement after the meetings, U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Jeffrey Feltman praised Lebanon's efforts and reiterated "the strength of the strategic partnership between the United States and Lebanon." Fallon made no comments after his meetings.

The statement said the U.S. remains committed to providing the Lebanese army with the "supplies they need to battle - and conquer - the armed extremists in the North. And the United States is delivering on our promise."

The army here has been locked for over three months in fierce battles with Fatah Islam militants holed up in a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon. A total of 148 soldiers have been killed in the fighting, along with an unknown number of militants and about 20 civilians. Washington and some of its Arab allies have airlifted supplies, mostly of ammunition, to the Lebanese army in the early days of the fighting. The military in Lebanon is an all-volunteer force of 56,000, with about 220 battle tanks, no effective air power and no air defense system. After last year's war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militants, the U.S. decided to increase military aid to Lebanon to $40 million a year.

Posted by Fred 2007-08-30 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top
File under: Fatah al-Islam

#1 This is what I've been watching for! Good

Posted by Sherry">Sherry 2007-08-30 00:43|| 2007-08-30 00:43|| Front Page Top

#2 So Ahmadinejad thinks that America is retreating and U.S. influence in the Middle East is on the wane? Here's your reality check, Mahmoud!

Posted by Grumenk Philalzabod0723 2007-08-30 06:38|| 2007-08-30 06:38|| Front Page Top

#3 Bush might send the Marines back to Lebanon but I don't see the Congress paying for it - the money would have to come from the Halliburton slush fund (which would be no problem, of course), or private donations or something. I'm in - for a box of M-16 ammo.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-08-30 08:08|| 2007-08-30 08:08|| Front Page Top

#4 Maybe we could get some airspace access rights to that 'refugee camp' seeing as how we can no longer practice bombing in Puerto Rico. gotta keep our aviators' skills sharp.

Posted by USN, Ret. 2007-08-30 14:21|| 2007-08-30 14:21|| Front Page Top

#5 Who needs military force/pressure nowadays - HOT AIR > LEGAL JIHAD ONLINE > HEZBOLLAH TO SUE ISRAEL FOR 2006 WAR. Dare IRAN for US intereference in IRAQ??? WHEN LAWYERS ATTACK!

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-08-30 22:20|| 2007-08-30 22:20|| Front Page Top

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