WASHINGTON – The Bush administration said Wednesday it wants to speed up U.S. aid for Lebanon's Army because of the recent wave of sectarian fighting.

The administration plans to ask Congress to quickly approve military spending that was already in the works. State Department spokesman Tom Casey would not say how much money the administration is seeking. He also would not say what the money would buy, but previous military grants have gone to buy ammunition, armor and the like.

President Bush telegraphed the request in interviews ahead of his current Mideast trip. He said he wants to beef up the Lebanese Army, but he also expressed disappointment in the Army's recent performance.

The U.S. backs Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora in a political and constitutional struggle with Hezbollah militants. Months of deadlock turned into street fighting last week.

The administration has spent about $1.3 billion in the past two years trying to prop up Saniora's Western-allied government, including about $400 million in military aid.

A senior U.S. military commander was also in Lebanon on Wednesday, meeting with Lebanese military leaders.

No fighting was reported throughout Lebanon on Wednesday, but tensions lingered after Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah demonstrated its military power last week by seizing control of parts of Beirut in a showdown with the U.S.-backed government. It was the worst internal fighting since the end of Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.

A high-powered Arab League delegation mediated between Lebanese factions, to try to end street confrontations that have killed at least 54 people.