This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8063111.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| US Vice-President Joe Biden visits Lebanon | US Vice-President Joe Biden visits Lebanon |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| US Vice-President Joe Biden has voiced strong support for Lebanese democracy and independence during a visit 16 days ahead of key legislative elections. | US Vice-President Joe Biden has voiced strong support for Lebanese democracy and independence during a visit 16 days ahead of key legislative elections. |
| The tight race could see the militant and political Shia movement Hezbollah gain a parliamentary majority. | |
| Mr Biden said it was up to the voters to choose their own leaders, but the "enduring US partnership" would depend on their commitment to "freedom". | Mr Biden said it was up to the voters to choose their own leaders, but the "enduring US partnership" would depend on their commitment to "freedom". |
| A top Hezbollah official accused the US of "meddling" in Lebanese affairs. | A top Hezbollah official accused the US of "meddling" in Lebanese affairs. |
| "The US will evaluate the shape of its assistance programme based on the policies of the new government," Mr Biden told reporters after talks with President Michel Suleiman. | |
| Joe Biden was also due to meet the 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. |
| Joe Biden did not mention Hezbollah by name, or its foreign supporters, but correspondents said his statement was a clear warning to voters tempted to vote for the party or its allies. | |
| "I urge those who think about standing with the spoilers of peace not to miss this opportunity to walk away," he said. | |
| The White House said the visit by the vice-president was meant to reinforce US support for "an independent and sovereign Lebanon". | |
| Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah expressed scorn about the visit. | 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 |
| Mr Biden will announce more military aid to Lebanon, the US says | Mr Biden will announce more military aid to Lebanon, the US says |
| 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. | 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. |