Gulf Arabs boost aid to Sunni militants in Lebanon (Reuters)

Gulf Arabs boost aid to Sunni militants in Lebanon
20 Mar 2007 18:29:50 GMT
Source: Reuters

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) - Oil-rich Saudis and other wealthy
Arabs have increased private contributions to Sunni militants in Lebanon
that could fuel new violence in a growing regional struggle between
Sunnis and Shi'ites, experts say.

The latest flow of money began in December in an attempt to create a
counterweight to the Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah, according to former
U.S. intelligence officials and independent analysts who view it as part
of a Saudi effort to bolster Sunni Islam in the face of growing Shi'ite
activism across the Middle East and in Africa.

"There is Saudi money coming in to Sunni extremist groups with the
specific intention of confronting the Shi'ites and Hezbollah in Lebanon,"
said a former senior intelligence official who closely monitors the Middle
East.

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In Lebanon, which is struggling with its worst political crisis since the
1975-90 civil war, donations to emerging Sunni militant groups have also
raised concerns for sectarian conflict and the potential for a new hub of
anti-Western extremism.

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