Officials said the State Department has urged Arab allies to help
Lebanon battle the Al Qaida-sponsored Fatah Al Islam. Fatah Al Islam, said
to be supported by Syria, has a core of 1,800 fighters around Tripoli and
northern Lebanon. They said the insurgents have employed anti-aircraft guns,
mortars, and night vision goggles.
"The Lebanese armed forces are engaged in a tough fight against a brutal
group of violent extremists who have embedded themselves in this Palestinian
refugee camp," McCormack said.
McCormack said $220 million could be allocated to the Lebanese Army and
another $60 million to Internal Security Force. He said the United States
was examining the Lebanese request.
"We currently have a $280 million request in to the Congress
as part of this supplemental," McCormack said.
In 2006, Lebanon received $40 million in U.S. military aid. The
assistance was allocated for the purchase of combat vehicles, upgrades and
repairs, munitions and training.
"And the breakdown of money in 2006 is roughly $30 million in Foreign
Military Financing and the Lebanese government has used this money on things
like small arms ammunition, Humvees, five-ton trucks, vehicle repair parts,
small arm repair parts, individual soldier equipment, things like protective
vests and helmets and boots, as well as training," McCormack said. "Then
there's some other funding, about $10 million that they've used for repair
on equipment, helicopters, land vehicles."
In Beirut, U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman met ISF commander
Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi. Later, Feltman said the United States would offer $60
million in aid to ISF.
On May 22, Arab League secretary-general Amr Mussa said unidentified
Arab countries have sent weapons to the Lebanese Army. Mussa did not
elaborate.
"But more weapons will be sent, should the need arise," Mussa said.
