U.S. To Supply Lebanon's Military With Equipment And Weaponry

Israeli Soldiers Clearing Trees On The Israeli/Lebanese Border

'US To Continue Supplying Military Assistance To Lebanon' -- Jerusalem Post

Report says an estimated $100m. worth of equipment and weaponry has been approved, after funds were frozen by US in the wake of fatal border clashes with Israel.

The US will continue to supply the Lebanese Armed Forces with equipment and weapons estimated to be worth approximately $100 million, a Lebanese newspaper reported on Saturday.

Al-Nahar quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Washington had urged both Israel and Lebanon to continue showing restraint towards each other and to refrain from threats and other provocative behavior.

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My Comment: I hope that I am wrong, but I believe that this is a mistake. U.S. hopes for restraining Lebanon from an arm conflict ignores the grim reality that many in the Lebanese military are sympathetic to Hezbollah, and are more than willing to provoke a fight against Israel.

Is America Deserting Its Allies In Lebanon?

The explosion that killed former Lebanese Premier Rafiq Hariri in Beirut, 2005.
(Photo from Slate)

Is This The Price Of America's New Friendship With Syria? -- The Independent

World Focus: Pro-Damascus generals held for the assassination that sparked turmoil in Lebanon walk free after four years

They're out. The four top men blamed for the murder of the Lebanese ex-prime minister Rafiq Hariri in the Saint Valentine's Day massacre four years ago have been freed from their drab prison at Roumieh north of Beirut, amid a flurry of gunfire and fireworks. In Damascus – their home from home if you believe what Mr Hariri's men tell you – they must be drinking champagne.

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My Comment: Not a fan of Robert Fisk, but he makes some valid points in this commentary. Read it all.