CRAWFORD, Texas - The United States on Friday expressed strong support for Lebanon but ruled out military aid for now as government forces there battled Hezbollah fighters historically backed by Iran and Syria.

"We will stand by the Lebanese government and peaceful citizens of Lebanon through this crisis and provide the support they need to weather this storm," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement.

Rice discussed the crisis by telephone with her French and Saudi counterparts, Bernard Kouchner and Prince Saud al-Faisal, as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, according to spokesman Sean McCormack.

Rice was also expected to reach out to embattled Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, who enjoys strong US support, as Washington sought to buttress his government and calm Lebanon's longstanding political crisis.

As the White House declared itself "very troubled" by the unrest, Rice denounced the violence and singled out Syria and Iran for backing Hezbollah which she accused of trying "to protect their state within a state."

"We condemn the use of violence by illegitimate armed groups and call upon all parties to respect the rule of law," she said.

"Backed by Syria and Iran, Hezbollah and its allies are killing and injuring fellow citizens, undermining the legitimate authority of the Lebanese government and the institutions of the Lebanese state," said Rice.

US State Department officials said the United States would provide diplomatic and political support to Siniora, ruling out any military backing for the time being.

Hezbollah fighters Friday seized control of west Beirut after three days of deadly street battles with pro-government foes which have pushed Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe urged Hezbollah to "stop their attempt to defy the lawful decisions" of the government, which recently opted
to probe the group's private communications network -- triggering a violent response.

"We also urge Iran and Syria to stop their support of Hezbollah and its destabilizing effects on Lebanon," he told reporters.

US President George W. Bush, on his Texas ranch for the wedding of one of his daughters, still hopes to meet with Siniora in Egypt next week -- but would understand if the prime minister cancelled his visit, said Johndroe.

"We certainly expect to see Prime Minister Siniora in Sharm el-Sheikh next week. The president would like to see him next Saturday or Sunday. But if he feels the situation on the ground doesn't permit him to do that, we understand that as well," said the spokesman.

As Saudi Arabia called for an urgent meeting of Arab foreign ministers to defuse the crisis, Johndroe urged "the countries in the region to support the democratically elected government of Lebanon."

"We have confidence in the government of Lebanon. They have proven in recent years that they want to make Lebanon a safe and prosperous country. And the United States stands firmly with the Lebanese government and the people of Lebanon," said Johndroe.

As the fighting eased, Lebanese army and police moved across areas now in the hands of Iranian- and Syrian-backed opposition forces which have been locked in an 18-month power struggle with the ruling coalition.

But as foreigners scrambled to leave it was unclear what the immediate future would hold, amid fears the protracted political feud could plunge Lebanon back to the dark days of the 1975-1990 civil war.

- AFP /ls