US Aids to LAF Block as Donations Flock

Al-Manar

Latuf's carton

10/08/2010 Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Abadi stressed Tehran's readiness to help the Lebanese army following an appeal made by President Michel Sleiman to arm the Lebanese military.

An embassy statement said Abadi discussed with Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji the latest developments in Lebanon, particularly last week's deadly gunbattle in Odeisseh, South Lebanon, between Lebanese army forces (LAF) and Israeli occupation troops.

Congress froze $100 million aid to the Lebanese army "until more information is made available regarding the (Odeisseh) incident, the nature of Hezbollah’s influence on the Lebanese army is determined, and to make certain that the Lebanese military is a responsible institution."

But the US State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley said there was no evidence that American-supplied equipment had been used by Lebanese soldiers in Odeisseh. Crowley told reporters he was not aware of plans to reevaluate military cooperation with Beirut.

While speaking to the LAF, President Michel Sleiman vowed to provide the army with "more advanced equipment" in order to "protect the dignity of the nation" against "Israeli aggression." "Lebanon will work with friendly countries to provide it with more advanced equipment," he said.

Since then, the presidency has been receiving scores of calls from Lebanon and foreign countries to laud the initiative of Sleiman, it said in a statement.

The statement said the callers have expressed readiness to arm the military and equip it when the cabinet adopts such a decision and announces a donation mechanism. Sleiman discussed the issue with State Minister Adnan Kassar, the statement said.

As-Safir newspaper reported Tuesday that Lebanese immigrant Ahmed Hussein Saleh al-Mousawi has sent a donation worth LL15 million. Mousawi also expressed willingness to launch a campaign "to achieve this lofty goal and raise the head of Lebanon high among the nations."

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian