U.S. Approves $8.7M in Support of LAF, $47M in Humanitarian Aid
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The United States has approved $8.7 million in military assistance focused on increasing the Lebanese Armed Forces’ ability to "monitor, secure, and protect Lebanon’s borders against terrorist threats and the illicit transfer of goods," the White House announced on Tuesday.
The U.S. also donated more than $74 million to help Lebanon cope with the growing refugee crisis.
"The United States commends the government and people of Lebanon for hosting and supporting nearly 800,000 Syrian refugees who have fled the Assad regime’s brutal violence," the White House said in a statement.
"Today, President (Barack) Obama announced that the United States is contributing nearly $340 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support those affected by the (Syrian) crisis. This brings the U.S. total regional contribution since the beginning of the crisis to nearly $1.4 billion," it added.
"As part of that announcement, the United States will contribute more than $74 million to support humanitarian assistance efforts in Lebanon, bringing the total contribution for Lebanon to more than $254 million in support to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and the Lebanese communities that host them."
According to the White House, this year the United States is also funding more than $62 million in development assistance programs in Lebanon that support the modernization of the public education system and water infrastructure, improve local governance, and increase economic opportunities.
The announcement came as Obama met with President Michel Suleiman on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
According to state-run National News Agency, Suleiman told Obama that “the international community and the United States must offer support in order to secure the success of the meeting of the international support group for Lebanon and to help the country cope with the burden of the Syrian refugee influx."
On Wednesday, Suleiman along with U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon will head a meeting of an international support group for Lebanon, which is burdened by the flow of refugees from Syria.
The meeting, which will include the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, will examine ways to help Lebanon maintain political stability and security, and confront the continuous flow of Syrian refugees.
The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR has registered more than 746,000 Syrians in Lebanon, though many others remain unregistered.
The Lebanese government puts the number of Syrians in the country at 1.3 million, though that figure includes Syrians who were already in the country when the conflict began 30 months ago.
24 September 2013, 22:19
610
A whole 8.7 million???? Hariri has more than that in his back pocket. Thank you Mr. President for giving the LAF weapons that will NEVER be able to compete with Israel.
And M14 ask why HA is still holding on to their weapons
25 September 2013, 05:16
17
inside_manz,
Any Lebanese politician has more than that in their back pockets. Ask Berri and Nasrallah and Jumblat how much they have. THius is why our Government is bankrupt and our LAF are in shambles. So before you criticize the $8.7 M announced by Obama why don't you ask your favorite politicians to give some of their wealth back to the people and to to the LAF.
24 September 2013, 22:41
104
Had the LAF been more effective, more help would have poured its way. The problem is that it is closely allied with HA, and as such, all the US will do is provide token assistance.
The LAF won't stop HA fighters and weapons going to Syria, and it won't stop (chemical?) weapons and terrorists coming from Syria, so what good is it really?
As to Israel, it has never attacked Lebanon for the sake of attacking Lebanon. Every time Israel attacked, it was responding (albeit disproportionately) to an attack originating from Lebanon.
If we leave the Israelis alone, they'll leave us alone.
24 September 2013, 22:55
48
How dare you put a pic of this martyr and defend Israel??? Honestly that's extremely disrespectful. I am not trying to insult you, but that is an insult to Lebanon.
Stop fighters from going to Syria?? Were they stopping any Salafi fighters from going??? Did HA attack any check points belonging to the Army??? Didnt think so
24 September 2013, 23:07
73
First, Francois is a relative of mine, so if anybody has the right to put up his picture, it's me.
Second, Francois was killed because he was next in line to be commander in chief of the Army, by the people you're defending. That's why the investigation reached a practical dead end.
Third, you justify my argument: The LAF is totally ineffective, it's stopping nobody, so it's not worth investing in by the US.
Fourth, you again support my point: HA does not attack the Army because the Army does not interfere with any of their activities.
24 September 2013, 23:31
38
El-Hajj was killed by HA??? That's news to me...is that from the same source that said HA was behind Hariri's assassination???
So because, according to you, the LAF "is totally ineffective". So does that mean we should just give up on them, stop funding them?? And why should the army interfere with HA when both parties support one another?? Would you prefer they kill one another??
On top of all this you still defend Israel??? You think your relative would appreciate you defending the criminal entity that destroyed your land?
25 September 2013, 00:27
36
@texas
you cant ask me what HA would do. Im not HA nor can i foresee their future actions.
I can see whats happening now Texas and thats the US imperalist machine trying to have their way in our region and all for the benefit of Israel.
Why is the US soooo concerned about democracy in Iran and Syria and not in Saudi and Bahrian? Does that make sense to you?
Also, even with all the military equipment the US supplied Egypt, you think its even comparable to the 3billion in annual aid they give Israel??
Open you eyes man. Forget your hatred for HA and Assad for one minute. Can you not see what they've been doing to our region for the past 60+ years???
25 September 2013, 00:36
36
I dont think you read one word of my reply.
Your argument is that Israel wants HA in power is mind-boggling to me.
What about all the wars Israel has waged against HA? What about all the assassinations of HA leaders by Israel??? What about the US's support for M14??
All that and your argument is that Israel wants HA in power??? Thats a joke.
25 September 2013, 01:06
26
If you are referring to the Iran-Contra affair then the weapons were sold to Iran to try to secure the release of the hostages that were held in the US embassy. So your argument is invalid. Its called politics Texas.
And please do remind everyone when Israel dealt with HA politically, enlighten us with your wisdom please.
25 September 2013, 01:44
16
It took you 30mins to reply and the best you could come up with is "smoke screen"?
The Iran Contra affair was one of the biggest scandals in US history and it was a complete embarrassment for Regan and Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North.
And remember at that time Iran was waging a war against Iraq all while having an Arms Embargo on them. The were willing to take weapons from anyone, including Israel.
Nice try though
25 September 2013, 07:43
20
.....BREAKING NEWS FROM NEW YORK.....
After meeting Obama, our great good-for-showmanship-and-not-much-else president-by-parachute went to his hotel room and gave our first lady the best and longest man2oucheh ever. They both shook in elation and so did the entire hotel as well as Farts 14 and Sanni First. Wow! I wish I were there.
25 September 2013, 15:04
02
¨During the Bush administration from 2001 to 2005, Israel has actually received more in US military aid than it has in US arms deliveries.Over this time period Israel received $10.5 billion in in Foreign Military Financing, the pentagon's biggest military aid program and $6.3 billion in US arms deliveries¨
Just a thought.
