Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 25, 2007

Foreign Military Aid Arrives in Lebanon to Help Fight Islamic
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Militants
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=179BCB6:A6F02AD83191E1602564C9D22AD46D6A9574F7DCC14957C0 Lebanese security
officials say two planes arrived at Beirut airport Friday, more
flights expected soon





Jordanian military plane, allegedly believed to be loaded with
ammunition donated by United States for Lebanese army, flies over
Beirut on its way to airport, 25 May 2007Military transport planes
have begun arriving in Lebanon, bringing foreign military aid to help
the Lebanese army fight Islamic militants inside a Palestinian refugee
camp.

Lebanese security officials say two planes arrived at the Beirut
airport Friday, and more flights are expected soon.

The United States has said it would rush help to Lebanon, after Beirut
requested more military aid following the outbreak of fighting at the
Nahr al-Bared camp near the port city of Tripoli.

On Thursday, the Lebanese army and militants at the camp briefly
exchanged heavy gunfire, breaking a two-day-old truce.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora has vowed to crush the Islamic
militants believed linked to al-Qaida.

The Fatah-al-Islam militants holed up in the refugee camp said they
will abide by the truce, but will not surrender and will fight if
attacked.

About 75 people - soldiers, militants and civilians - have been killed
since the fighting began Sunday.

Relief workers say as many as half of some 30,000 residents of the
camp have fled since the truce went into effect. Most headed to
Tripoli and another nearby Palestinian refugee camp - Beddawi.







Bernard Kouchner (file photo)Also on Thursday, the new French foreign
minister, Bernard Kouchner, held talks with Mr. Siniora and other
senior officials, including the speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri.

France's Foreign Ministry said Kouchner's trip to Beirut was aimed at
reaffirming French solidarity with Lebanon during what it called this
"critical period." Lebanon is a former French colony.

The battles on the outskirts of Tripoli are said to be the worst
internal fighting since Lebanon's 15-year civil war ended in 1990.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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