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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| US Vice-President Joe Biden visits Lebanon | US Vice-President Joe Biden visits Lebanon |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US Vice-President Joe Biden has arrived in Beirut in what the US calls a show of support for Lebanese independence ahead of key legislative elections. | US Vice-President Joe Biden has arrived in Beirut in what the US calls a show of support for Lebanese independence ahead of key legislative elections. |
| The vote in two weeks could see the militant and political Shia movement Hezbollah gain a parliament majority. | The vote in two weeks could see the militant and political Shia movement Hezbollah gain a parliament majority. |
| A top Hezbollah official called the visit an example of US "meddling" to shore up support for the pro-Western faction "which feels under threat". | A top Hezbollah official called the visit an example of US "meddling" to shore up support for the pro-Western faction "which feels under threat". |
| Mr Biden is due to announce fresh US military aid to the Lebanese military. | Mr Biden is due to announce fresh US military aid to the Lebanese military. |
| He is scheduled to hold meetings with President Michel Suleiman, as well as pro-Western Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is allied to the Hezbollah-led bloc. | He is scheduled to hold meetings with President Michel Suleiman, as well as pro-Western Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is allied to the Hezbollah-led bloc. |
| Correspondents are describing Lebanon's 7 June vote as a showdown between the US- and Saudi- backed majority from the last parliament and Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran and Syria. | Correspondents are describing Lebanon's 7 June vote as a showdown between the US- and Saudi- backed majority from the last parliament and Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran and Syria. |
| The White House said the visit by class="inlineText" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7574085.stm"> Joe Biden was meant to reinforce US support for "an independent and sovereign Lebanon". | |
| Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah expressed scorn about the visit. | |
| "It appears that this visit is part of a US bid to supervise the electoral campaign of a Lebanese party which feels threatened politically... in light of the expected outcome of the legislative vote," he told AFP news agency. | "It appears that this visit is part of a US bid to supervise the electoral campaign of a Lebanese party which feels threatened politically... in light of the expected outcome of the legislative vote," he told AFP news agency. |
| Counterweight | Counterweight |
| The White House said the vice-president would make an announcement with Lebanese Defence Minister Elias Murr on military aid. | The White House said the vice-president would make an announcement with Lebanese Defence Minister Elias Murr on military aid. |
| The US has given the Lebanese army more than $410m since 2006 - when a devastating war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel - in order to provide a counterweight to Hezbollah's powerful military wing, the Islamic Resistance. | The US has given the Lebanese army more than $410m since 2006 - when a devastating war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel - in order to provide a counterweight to Hezbollah's powerful military wing, the Islamic Resistance. |
| Correspondents say it is unclear to what degree aid would continue under a government led by Hezbollah or its allies. | Correspondents say it is unclear to what degree aid would continue under a government led by Hezbollah or its allies. |
| It included supplying aircraft, tanks and artillery to the Lebanese military and providing training to its personnel. | It included supplying aircraft, tanks and artillery to the Lebanese military and providing training to its personnel. |
| Washington calls Hezbollah a terrorist organisation, a charge denied by its supporters who say its armed activities are legitimate resistance. | Washington calls Hezbollah a terrorist organisation, a charge denied by its supporters who say its armed activities are legitimate resistance. |
| Joe Biden is reported to be the first sitting US vice-president to visit Lebanon. | |
| His trip comes weeks after a visit by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who pleaded for the elections to be free and fair. | His trip comes weeks after a visit by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who pleaded for the elections to be free and fair. |