In a statement on Nov. 12, Berman did not provide details of the review
by the Obama administration, Middle East Newsline reported. But the chairman said the U.S. aid would
contain "greater focus."
"I have also been given reason for confidence that assistance to the LAF
[Lebanese armed forces] has not fallen into the hands of Hizbullah and that
every possible measure is being taken by Lebanese and American authorities
to prevent that from happening," Berman said. "As a result of these
assurances, I am lifting the hold on the $100 million spending plan for the
LAF."
A day after Berman's hold, coordinated with House Foreign Operations
Subcommittee chairwoman Rep. Nita Lowey, the Lebanese Army opened fire
toward Israel and an Israeli military officer was killed. The U.S. embassy
in Beirut investigated the Lebanese shooting to determine whether
American-supplied weapons had been employed.
"I also understand that the LAF has taken important steps to prevent
recurrence of dangerous and provocative actions like that which occurred
Aug. 3," Berman said.
The House chairman said the administration has been drafting another
U.S. military package for Lebanon. The package was said to contain
helicopters, main battle tanks and unmanned aerial vehicles.
"Some of the key elements of the current package are not yet ready for
actual delivery to the LAF and will be further notified to Congress prior to
actual delivery," Berman said. "We will, of course, further assess the
situation at that time."
The ranking Republican of the committee, expected to be the next
chairman, has opposed the lifting of the freeze on U.S. military aid to
Lebanon. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen disputed Berman's contention that U.S. aid
to Lebanon has taken into account the prospect of a Hizbullah takeover of
the Beirut government.
"Unanswered questions remain concerning the long-term impact and
long-term strategy of U.S. assistance to the LAF," Ms. Ros-Lehtinen said.
"There also appears to be a disconnect between components of this assistance
package aimed at addressing U.S. counter-terrorism objectives, those
referring to building the capacity of the LAF, and our broader approach to a
Lebanese government increasingly influenced by Hizbullah."
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican, cited a range of U.S. military
and security programs to Lebanon. But she said the programs have not been
"fully
coordinated to advance both our immediate, as well as our long-term
interests."
"I would hope that, in the future, these significant concerns will be
addressed before any assistance package is submitted to Congress," Ms.
Ros-Lehtinen said.
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