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BEIRUT - The Lebanese army expanded its troop deployment to tense areas around the country Tuesday, saying its soldiers would use force if needed to impose order after clashes between the U.S.-backed government and Hezbollah-led opposition.

Enlarge Photo

AP

victim of ongoing clashes: Hezbollah militants carry the coffin of their comrade, Hassan Rabah, who died in clashes between pro-government supporters and Shiite gunmen, during his funeral procession in south Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday.

The army, which is respected by the Hezbollah militants, has played a central role in defusing the violence by calling on armed supporters from both sides to leave the streets.

But it has remained neutral in the conflict and did not intervene as Shiite gunmen from Hezbollah overran much of western Beirut and the offices of Sunni parliamentary majority leader, Saad Hariri.

U.S. President George W. Bush and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal accused Iran of exacerbating the situation by supporting Hezbollah.

In an interview with BBC Arabic TV, Bush called Iran the "crux of many of the problems in the Middle East," adding that "Hezbollah would be nothing without Iranian support."

In a sign of rising regional tensions over the conflict, Saud also warned that Tehran's relations with Arab countries would be affected by its support for the militant group.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad responded quickly, telling reporters that Saud's comments were made in anger and likely did not reflect the views of Saudi King Abdullah. In his first public appearance since immediately after the clashes began, Hariri blamed Iran and Syria for the outbreak of violence, telling a news conference the allies wanted to "play a political game in Lebanon's streets."

The country's worst internal fighting since the end of the civil war in 1990, which has left at least 54 people dead.

"Army units will prevent any violations, whether by individuals or groups, in accordance with the law even if this is going to lead to the use of force," the army said in a statement released late Monday.

Troops deployed to several neighbourhoods in the capital and to the mountains overlooking Beirut. They also sent troops to the northern city of Tripoli that witnessed heavy clashes on Monday.

Hezbollah supporters and their allies were seen in several areas of Beirut on Tuesday, but none were armed. Streets in the capital were busy as more businesses opened, though many roads were still blocked by opposition supporters, including the highway leading to the country's only international airport.

The U.S. Embassy said Tuesday that U.S. military helicopters will be flying in supplies.

Bush expressed his support for the Lebanese government and army on Monday during an interview with Al-Arabiya television, saying Washington would continue to supply and train the country's forces.