Israel Matzav

No US milirary aid to Lebanon yet

On Thursday, I reported that US military aid to Lebanon was likely to resume soon, because Representative Howard Berman (D-Cal) had lifted the hold he had put on that aid. But not so fast.

At least two other Representatives, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl) (pictured) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) have also plalced holds on military aid to Lebanon. And they're not lifting them just yet.

A spokesman for Lowey, Matt Dennis, said Lowey had been briefed on the administration's position on Wednesday but that she had not made a decision on lifting her hold.

"She appreciates the administration's efforts to keep apprised of findings, and the conversations will continue about the path forward," he said, adding, however that: "No resolution on this matter was reached. Her hold remains in place."

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley confirmed that the review had been finished but would not comment on its classified findings, particularly about
Hezbollah's alleged influence in the Lebanese army.

At the same time, he noted that U.S. aid to Lebanon is specifically intended to build strong national institutions in Lebanon which act as a counterweight to Hezbollah.

...

Ros-Lehtinen, whose office said she had not yet been briefed on the review, said in a statement that she remained "deeply concerned that U.S. assistance to the [Lebanese army] may be finding its way into the hands of violent militants, including Hezbollah, which murder innocent Israelis."

"The U.S. must not continue to send security assistance to Lebanon when we cannot be sure that it is not benefiting these dangerous extremists and their state sponsors," she said.

It sounds like the Obami are really pushing this. Hmmm.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:43 PM