Anti-terrorism Act Links U.S. Assistance to Hizbullah Power in Lebanon Government

by Naharnet Newsdesk 12 February 2011, 11:45

U.S. lawmakers are reportedly pushing for the adoption of the Hizbullah Anti-Terrorism Act of 2011 which guarantees that organizations like Hizbullah do not benefit from the money of American taxpayers.

During hearings on Egypt and Lebanon this week, House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Howard Berman announced that he would be introducing the new legislation entitled the "Hizbullah anti-terrorism act of 2011."

The legislation would bar U.S. assistance to Lebanon unless President Barack Obama certified to Congress that no funds would go to the Shiite group or Hizbullah agencies/entities under the party's control, and that the Lebanese government is actively working to dismantle Hizbullah’s military capability.

Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is one of the major supporters of the bill, As Safir daily said Saturday. With time, more lawmakers could join the list, it added.

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