U.S. Drops Hold on Aid to Lebanese Military

Another smart move by the Obama Administration?

Hezbollah will be getting some more funding soon !


Foxnews
WASHINGTON—U.S. lawmakers lifted a congressional hold on $100 million in military assistance for Lebanon's armed forces, as the Obama administration moved to bolster Beirut's pro-Western government.

In recent weeks, the militant Lebanese organization, Hezbollah, has issued increasing threats against Prime Minister Saad Hariri amid reports that a United Nations-backed court is preparing to indict Hezbollah members for the 2005 murder of Mr. Hariri's father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Washington has provided Lebanon's military with an estimated $720 million in aid since 2006 in an effort to develop the institution as a counterweight to Hezbollah, which receives its arms and funding from Iran and Syria, and has grown as a political force with seats in the Lebanese government.

"We reviewed our assistance to Lebanon and concluded that it is vital, given ongoing challenges to the Lebanese state from Hezbollah and others," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Friday.