U.S. aid stokes controversy in Beirut

BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 2 (UPI) -- Provisions regarding U.S. military aid to Lebanon give Washington the right to interfere in the political affairs in Beirut, Hezbollah lawmakers complained.

The United States is a key supporter for the Lebanese military, which is struggling to assert its dominant security position in the wake of the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

U.S. President Barack Obama had asked lawmakers in 2009 to consider increasing military aid to Lebanon by $98.4 million, bringing the total to $189.1 million.

Hezbollah officials complained provisions in the U.S. donation program that require Beirut to exclude terrorist organizations from the aid amounts to U.S. meddling, Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports.

Washington includes Hezbollah on its list of terrorist organizations.

The Daily Star added that Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah called for a review of "flaws" in the agreement.

During a May 2009 visit to Lebanon, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said the outcome of the Lebanese elections may have an impact on Washington assistance programs for Beirut.

Hezbollah emerged from parliamentary elections in 2009 with two Cabinet positions in a unity government. Lawmakers later agreed to a provision that would let Hezbollah keep its weapons in an effort to thwart Israeli threats.

Opponents argue Israel would back down if Hezbollah surrendered its weapons, however.