| Russia cautions the US over military aid to Lebanon |
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| World Affairs Talk | |
| Tuesday, 05 June 2007 | |
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It further advised the US authorities to closely follow international agreements in delivering aid of such kind. This caution comes after the US sent several plane loads of military aid to Lebanon, including ammunition and other equipment, to help the Lebanese Army fight Islamic militants in a Palestinian refugee camp in the north of the country. Lebanon in recent times has been wracked by political strife. Weeks of anti-government protests have forced the county’s president Saniora to live in his office complex in central Beirut, surrounded by security forces and barbed wire. The US, a close ally provided about $45 million in military aid to Lebanon over the past year and last week the US Congress approved an additional $280 in military assistance to that country. This aid boost for Lebanon is part of the President Bush administration's strategy to bolster moderate Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and his security forces. In past, the 1975-90 civil war damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily, mostly from domestic banks. The recent shipment was made to help the Army continue its fight against Fatah al-Islam militants holed up inside the Nahr el-Bared camp. The Lebanese Army was gearing up for a fight with the terrorist group Fatah Islam, which has nested itself in the refugee camp. The group claims to have over 500 fighters, armed with automatic weapons, mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades. Russia feels that it is necessary to prevent the shipment of arms that might destabilize the situation even further. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on a quick time assured Russia that the US was following international rules and she said several UN resolutions urged the strengthening of Lebanon's Army. Condoleezza Rice added to her statement that the US is not the only country that is helping to equip the Lebanese army, which needs to have the modern capability to defend its sovereignty and defend its state. Russia over the years has been a major friend of Lebanon and contributed in various fields, infrastructure restoration in particular. Moscow donated 45 vehicles and 29 pieces of special equipment in 2006. Though Russia seems to take a stand against this shipment of arms, in 2006, Russia deployed a construction battalion to Lebanon to rebuild nine bridges destroyed during the 34-day war with Israel; and Russian President Putin earlier called the political situation in Lebanon "disturbing." Share & Bookmark             |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 06 June 2007 ) |
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