US To Withhold Aid from Lebanon?

Fearing that Lebanese 'security' forces may be harboring Hezbollah fighters in their ranks Congress may be holding up some aid money to Lebanon.

The US Congress should block roughly 100 million dollars in aid to Lebanon's military until it can be sure the country's armed forces are not working with Hezbollah, a top lawmaker said Monday.

Pointing to last week's deadly clash between Israeli and Lebanese troops along the countries' shared border, Representative Eric Cantor warned the lines between the Shiite movement and Lebanon's armed forces had become "blurred."

"The days of ignoring the LAF's (Lebanese Armed Forces') provocations against Israel and protection of Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon are over," said Cantor, the number two Republican in the House of Representatives.

"Lebanon cannot have it both ways. If it wants to align itself with Hezbollah against the forces of democracy, stability and moderation, there will be consequences," said Cantor, a fierce defender of Israel.

By: Brant