By Yonat Friling

Source:

August 26, 2010

Iran is stepping in to fill the vacuum that is left by the American Government in the battled state of Lebanon.

Last night, the leader of the Shiite group Hezbollah , Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, called on the Lebanese government to formally seek military assistance from Iran.

Few hours later he was back by the Iranian Defense Minister who said “Lebanon is our friend. If we receive any demand [for equipping their army], we have full potential to help them”.

Two weeks ago, several members of Congress have moved to block United States aid to the Lebanese military, saying they are concerned that it may be working with Hezbollah, and against Israel.

Prof. Guy Bechor, a Middle East analyst tells Fox News that the US administration could have done almost nothing about that, but to keep the .  By cutting the aid, explains Bechor, they are practically pushing the Lebanese into Iranian and Syrian hands.

Hezbollah, is a militant organization, listed as a terrorist group by the U.S  with? 1,000  active fighters?, and more than 10,000 reservists, and 10 percent of the seats in parliament

President Bush has increased the aid to the Lebanese government after the 2006 War between Israel and Lebanon. The reason behind it was to counter Hezbollah’s growing threat and the Iranian influence on the Shiite organization.