Lebanon said it was committed to building up its armed forces after complaints by Israel about Western assistance to the military following a deadly border clash between the two countries.
Speaking in the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh where the clash occurred, President Michel Suleiman said the cabinet would meet to ratify a 3 or 5-year plan to arm the military "so that it can protect the nation's dignity".

"The government will put forth a plan to arm the army regardless of the position of some countries," Suleiman was quoted as saying by the National News Agency. He did not say when the plan would be approved.

The US has provided more than $720 million in assistance to the Lebanese army since 2006, according to the US embassy website.