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State Dept. wants to triple aid to post-Syria Lebanon government

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, February 14, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration has requested a significant increase in U.S. military aid to Lebanon.

The State Department has proposed to increase U.S. military aid to Lebanon by more than 300 percent in 2007. Officials said the request reflected closer relations between Beirut and Washington as well as the withdrawal of Syria's military from Lebanon in 2005.

Under the Bush administration's request, Lebanon would receive $4.8 million in U.S. military aid in 2007. Beirut received less than $1 million in such aid for fiscal 2006, which ends in October, Middle East Newsline reported.

Officials said the increased U.S. security aid would enable Lebanon to increase procurement of weapons and spare parts. They said the State Department also planned to offer increased training to the Lebanese Army and security forces.

But the department's request would not enable Lebanon to purchase any major weapons system. Officials said the administration was examining Beirut's request for surplus U.S. platforms to revive Lebanon's military.

Under the department's request for fiscal 2007, Israel and Egypt would receive $2.34 billion and $1.3 billion in military aid, respectively. Jordan would receive $206 million.


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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