JERUSALEM (Reuters) NOV23 – Israeli troops exchanged fire with Hizbollah gunmen Wednesday to provide cover for an Israeli paraglider pilot who drifted …

 POL-US-LEBANON-AOUN  Lebanese MP General Aoun supports disarming Lebanon's Hizbollah WASHINGTON, Nov 23 (KUNA) -- Lebanese MP, General Michel Aoun, said on Tuesday he supports the disarmament of Hizbollah.Aoun, a formerly exiled Lebanese Prime minister who recently returned to his country after Syria's withdrawal this year, made the remarks at a news conference one day after Hizbollah fighters clashed with Israeli soldiers on the uneasy border between Israel and southern Lebanon, where Hizbollah remains largely supported by the majority Shiite Lebanese there.

"Hizbollah has real backing from Shiites and is a political force, but it is time for them to become part of making Lebanon a great country again," said Aoun, adding that security could be restored in Lebanon by the disarmament of groups outside the central government. At least three Hizbollah fighters were killed by Israeli forces in the most escalated fighting between the two sides since Israel withdrew from Lebanon five years ago. Aoun, who is on a week-long visit to Washington, said he met with members of Congress and US officials at the State Department and National Security Council (NSC) at the White House to "exchange ideas" on issues of interest pertaining to Lebanon and the Middle East.