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.