Clinton assures Lebanese president of US support

Clinton assures Lebanon of US support

NEW YORK — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is assuring Lebanon that the U.S. will continue to support its government and army despite fears in Congress that American assistance may be used against Israel.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Clinton met on Friday with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in New York to pledge backing for “Lebanon’s sovereignty and governmental instutitons, including the Lebanese military.”

Clinton also called for Lebanon to cooperate with the U.N. mission on its border with Israel to avoid a recurrence of an August incident in which Lebanese troops fired on Israeli soldiers. That shooting heightened U.S. lawmakers’ concerns that military aid might threaten Israel and led some to put a hold on $100 million in assistance.