Egypt offers assistance to rebuild Lebanese military (Roundup)

Aug 27, 2008, 11:32 GMT

Beirut - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit has offered his country's assistance in rebuilding Lebanon's army, in a bid to improve security amid ongoing sectarian tensions.

North Lebanon has witnessed in the past two months repeated clashes between Sunni followers of the western-backed government and others loyal to the opposition, led by Hezbollah.

The Egyptian official expressed readiness that his country 'would help in rebuilding the capabilities of the Lebanese army and the security sector.' Abul Gheit was speaking in Beirut following a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.

Abul Gheit expressed his concern about the situation in the north of the country, where clashes between rival factions have recently taken place.

'We are worried about the situation in Lebanon, particularly Tripoli in north Lebanon,' he said.

'The message is that you have to be careful so that the situation in Tripoli does not blow up. All sides should act along calculations that do not lead to collisions between brethren and members of the one people,' Abul Gheit advised.

'The Egyptian support would help the Lebanese Army shoulder its responsibilities,' he added.

Egypt has 'major capabilities in this respect,' he stressed.

Cairo, he pointed out, 'has its relations with all regional and international parties and we hope to take part in calming down' the Lebanon situation.

Abul Gheit, who arrived in Beirut for a one-day visit, also met with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and House Speaker Nabih Berri.

Egypt is also trying to ease tension between Lebanon and Israel that has arisen over an exchange of threats, according to Lebanese officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned last week that his country would hit back harder than in the 2006 war if Hezbollah guerrillas attacked again.

Hezbollah's leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, threatened in return on Sunday that the response from his fighters would also be more fierce than in the 33-day war two years ago.

Abul Gheit said Egyptian officials urged Israel to avoid making such threats during meetings with visiting Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday.

Abul Gheit added that he also relayed to premier Seniora a 'message about Egypt's readiness' to support Lebanon with electric power and natural gas.

Meanwhile, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Hale held talks on Wednesday with Suleiman, focusing on the exchange of threats between Lebanon and Israel as well as the internal situation in the country, Lebanese officials said.

'The talks also focused on the upcoming visit of president Suleiman to New York next month,' the sources said.