The United States has delivered military aid to Lebanon to fight against militants in a Palestinian refugee camp, State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Friday.

"I can certainly confirm to you that there has been deliveries of assistance from the U.S." Casey said at a briefing.

"What the Lebanese are doing right now is trying to bring law and order and establish a rule of law in Lebanon and that is something that is in the interests of everyone," Casey said.

Late on Thursday, the U.S. Congress approved a budget request of 770 million dollars in aid for Lebanon, with 280 million dollars of that earmarked for military assistance to Lebanon.

The aid is clearly aimed at strengthening the Lebanese government headed by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

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