U.S. State Department has said "Iran's activities compromise Lebanese sovereignty," after Tehran offered to support the Lebanese army if the U.S. were to halt military aid.
For years, the U.S. has pumped money into Lebanon's military, hoping a strengthened army would sideline Iranian-backed Hezbollah's powerful militia.

On Monday, Congress suspended U.S. $100 million aid package to the Lebanese Armed Forces amid growing concern that American-supplied weapons could threaten Israel and that Hizbullah may have influence over the army.

The State Department, however, stressed that continued financial support for the Lebanese army was necessary.

"We've worked hard to build an effective relationship with the Lebanese government and to help expand the capabilities of the government and thereby improve its sovereignty over its territory," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.

He said when asked if he thought that Iran's proposal was in any way dangerous: "I think that the statements by Iran are expressly the reason why we believe that continuing support to the Lebanese government and the Lebanese military is in our interest."

On Congress' decision to suspend assistance to Lebanon's army, Crowley said that "there is aid already in the pipeline. So I can't say that a hold today necessarily has an immediate impact."

A tree-pruning operation triggered a border clash between Israeli and Lebanese troops in Adeisseh last week leaving dead and wounded on both sides.