Thursday, February 28, 2008

Gunboat Diplomacy: US warships to stand off Lebanon


Al-Jazeera

"The US has sent three warships, including the USS Cole, to stand off the coast of Lebanon in a show of force over the ongoing political deadlock in the country.

A senior US official said the US was "very concerned" about the situation in Lebanon and the move was a "support for regional stability".

The US declined to say whether the decision was a show of force aimed at Syria, which it has accused of interfering in Lebanon.

Lebanon's Western-backed governing coalition and the opposition, who are led by Shia group Hezbollah and backed by Syria, have failed to reach a deal to end the country's political deadlock.

"The United States believes a show of support is important for regional stability," said the senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We are very concerned about the situation in Lebanon. It has dragged on very long."......"

No comments: