While Britain sided with the US government in Rome, tensions are developing between the two governments. On Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she’s complained to the US over its use of a Scottish airport to transport bombs to Israel. According to the Daily Telegraph, two cargo planes filled with twenty-eight laser-guided bombs landed in Scotland en-route to Israel from the US. The Bush administration has reportedly asked for permission to land two more planes carrying bombs and missiles for Israel. Earlier this week, the Bush administration reacted angrily after British Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells criticized Israel’s bombing of civilians in Lebanon.

• British Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells: “I very much hope that the Americans understand what’s happening to Lebanon. The destruction of the infrastructure, the death of so many children and so many people. These have not been surgical strikes.And it’s very very difficult I think to understand the kind of military tactics that have been used. You know, if they’re chasing Hizbollah, then go for Hizbollah. You don’t go for the entire Lebanese nation.”