MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has extended for another four months the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC)’s duration of operations, citing the deadly sectarian gunbattles that have driven Lebanon close to civil war.

Under Executive Order No. 722, the PMEPC would be in operation until September 30 “unless otherwise directed by the President.”

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the extension of the life of the committee was prompted especially by the situation in Lebanon, hit by fierce sectarian fighting that has left at least 65 people dead and around 200 wounded in six days.

Ermita said PMEPC chairperson, former Armed Forces chief of staff Roy Cimatu, has flown to Beirut Friday to monitor the conditions of the Filipinos in the area.

The committee was also given an allocation of P3 million, which will be sourced from the Office of the President, for its administrative and operational expenses.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it was the third time Arroyo extended the life of the PEMPC, whose term should have ended in June 2007.