Posted on 11/12/2010 5:08:25 PM PST by mojito
WASHINGTON – Two key members of Congress have decided to lift their holds on aid to the Lebanese military on Friday, clearing the way for $100 million to be transferred to the force.
The money has been tied up since August after the members expressed concern about American funds ending up in the hands of Hizbullah, particularly after a deadly incident in which Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers shot at IDF soldiers along the border.
Nita Lowey (D-New York), chairwoman of the foreign operations subcommittee of the appropriations committee, and Howard Berman (D-California), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, had both requested reassurances from the State Department concerning oversight for the money, which helps train and equip the military.
“The administration gave detailed briefings and provided thorough written responses to Congresswoman Lowey’s questions and concerns about the assistance and safeguards in place to prevent it from falling into terrorists’ hands,” a Democratic Congressional staffer said of Lowey’s decision to lift the hold Friday. “Improving Lebanon’s ability to defend its borders, stop arms trafficking, build institutions and fight terrorist elements is imperative to the security and stability of the region.”
The State Department, which lobbied to reverse the holds, has long argued that the funds are an important counter-weight to Hizbullah's growing influence and military might.
(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...
The Lebanese army IS Hezbollah.
Which tells you all you need to know about the intelligence of our congresscritters... and the State Department!
What was Mayor Bloomberg saying about newly elected members of congress being unable to read and probably don’t have passports.............
We know who the idiots are...........
The PATRIOT act was supposed to ban funding terrorism not the fondling and caressing of flight attendants.
Inching towards the leftest goal of America fighting Israel...
More US money which will be used against Israel and, in this case, strengthen the terrorists’ hand in the upcoming attempt to take over the Lebanese government.
Nita Lowey (D-New York), chairwoman of the foreign operations subcommittee of the appropriations committee, and Howard Berman (D-California), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Evidently Obama has told Hillary to start a war - “some where, anywhere” - to take the focus off his disasterous economic policy and it’s non-results.
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