Hold placed on US military aid to Lebanese army over concerns about Hezbollah influence
By Matthew Lee, APMonday, August 9, 2010
US military aid to Lebanon put on hold
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee says he has put a hold on U.S. military aid to Lebanon amid growing concern in Congress that the Lebanese army could threaten Israel.
Rep. Howard Berman said Monday he placed a hold on $100 million in assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces on Aug. 2 because he was concerned about influence the militant group Hezbollah (hez-BUH’-lah) may have in the army.
The California Democrat said his concern was reinforced a day later when Lebanese soldiers shot and killed an Israeli officer on the Israel-Lebanon border.
In announcing the hold, Berman joined other lawmakers in calling on the Obama administration to review the provision of weapons and training to the Lebanese military.
