""Washington officially asks to change Lebanon into an allied military base" Trans. Mideastwire.com

As Safir, an independent leftist newspaper, wrote on October 18: "Why are top ranking American military and political officials and commanders coming to Lebanon in an almost constant stream since the Israeli war on Lebanon in July 2006 which reached its peak this week with the visit by the American undersecretary of defence for political affairs Eric Edelman at the head of a delegation from the Pentagon? What have the previous military delegations suggested and what is this top official carrying? What is the truth in the diplomatic and journalistic reports which talked about the possibility of the establishment of American military bases in Lebanon? What is the truth about the discussions between official factions about the demands for changing the ideology of the Lebanese army?" (the word "ideology" should have been "doctrine" the better translation for `aqdiah). (thanks Paul)