The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Washington

Deeply concerned about Lebanon's political strife, the United States on Thursday sped its USS Cole warship there in what officials described as a signal aimed at bolstering regional stability. A top official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the deployment of the guided-missile destroyer off the coast of Lebanon but declined to say that the show of force was meant for Syria or Iran, which Washington considers foes of Lebanese democracy. It is "a show of support for regional stability" because of "concern about the situation in Lebanon," the official said. The guided missile destroyer USS Cole was the target of a bombing by Al-Qaeda extremists in October 2000 in the Yemeni port of Aden that killed 17 US sailors. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Michael Mullen, declined to pin the warship's presence to Lebanon's presidential vote, which on Tuesday was postponed until March 11 for the 15th time since September. "To say it is absolutely tied would be incorrect although certainly we are aware elections are due there at some point in time," Mullen said.