Neither side will be able to impose a highly partisan agenda

“Neither side will be able to impose a highly partisan agenda.” The United States has given the Lebanese armed forces more than $500 million since the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, seeking to build up an institution eroded by decades of sectarian strife and foreign influence. The assassination triggered an international outcry that led neighboring Syria to end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon and gave rise to the “March 14″ anti-Syrian, pro-Western alliance that now holds a parliamentary majority. Given Washington’s ban on funding groups that it deems “terrorist,” a victory by Hezbollah would present the Obama administration with a judgment call on whether any government Hezbollah helped to form could keep getting U.S funds Speaking in Beirut on May 22, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said “we will evaluate the shape of our assistance programs based on the composition of the new government and the policies it advocates.” NEGATIVE REFLEXES Some analysts suggested a cut-off was not in either side’s interest given U.S.

overtures to Hezbollah’s two main patrons, Syria and Iran, and the likely reluctance of Hezbollah and its allies to totally isolate themselves from the West. “I cannot imagine the United States turning its back on Lebanon,” said Edward Walker, a former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and Israel, saying Hezbollah would probably not force the issue by demanding key security posts in the Cabinet. “Generally speaking, we have found a way to work around the terrorist-designated organizations I am quite sure that we can find a way to do it. And I suspect that Hezbollah would find a way to cooperate in that,” Walker added. “Hezbollah and Washington have an interest in not having a nuclear exchange over this,” said Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

“Hezbollah actually has an interest in being influential but not winning, because if they force the issue, they could find themselves deeply isolated from the West,” he added Sentiment in the U.S Congress, however, may differ. “The reflex here will be very negative” said a congressional aide who spoke on condition of anonymity, saying a “March 8″ victory would likely trigger a cut in funding. Howard Berman, the California Democrat who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Friday issued a statement noting that in recent years the U.S. Congress had supported Lebanon’s sovereignty “with increasing vigor and financial commitment.” “It is my strong hope that the results of the upcoming election will allow this process to continue and flourish,” he added “The Obama administration will .. be loathe, I think, to cut off funding …