WASHINGTON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Tuesday it is considering a request from the Lebanese government for more U.S. military aid to fight against Islamist militants.

    "Right now we are considering a request for additional assistance coming from the Lebanese government. The Lebanese armed forces are engaged in a tough fight against a brutal group of violent extremists," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

    The United States has provided some 40 million dollars in military assistance to Lebanon over the past year.

    At least 80 people, including 32 Lebanese soldiers, have been killed in three days of fighting between Lebanese security forces and militants inside a Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli in northern Lebanon.