WASHINGTON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States promised Wednesday that it will provide military support for the pro-Western Lebanese government headed by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

    "We have a very robust package of support for the Lebanese military and we intend to carry that out and give them the kind of help that they need to be able to, again, carry out their mission and support the Lebanese people," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said at a briefing.

    For the past week, sectarian fighting between anti and pro-government supporters in Lebanon left at least 24 people dead and dozens of others injured.

    Deadly clashes in Lebanon erupted Wednesday after the Lebanese cabinet decided Tuesday to cease the private communication network of the leading opposition group of Hezbollah and remove airport security chief Gen. Wafik Shqaier for alleged links to Hezbollah.