Lebanese PM Siniora Denies Arming Sunni Groups

The report, written by Seymour Hersh and published Sunday on the web site of the New Yorker, describes a "redirection" in U.S. policy in the Middle East designed to confront Iran.

BEIRUT - Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has dismissed a report by a U.S. magazine that his security agencies are supporting Sunni extremist groups in accordance with U.S. covert operations in Lebanon, local newspaper Daily Star reported on Tuesday.
"The Lebanese government rejects any armed force or terrorist group that resorts to terrorism and illegal acts," Siniora`s office said in a statement released on Monday, adding that the New Yorker report is "surprising and totally unfounded."
The report, written by Seymour Hersh and published Sunday on the web site of the New Yorker, describes a "redirection" in U.S. policy in the Middle East designed to confront Iran.
Hersh said the Lebanese government is possibly supporting the expansion of Sunni extremist groups in Lebanon in accordance with the new direction of U.S. government policy.
"Some organizations in the North and South have received aid from parties which have identified themselves as representatives of the Lebanese government or the Internal Security Forces," the statement added.