The military assistance, worth $105 million in materiel and ammunition for the Lebanese Armed Forces, has been in limbo for months pending approval from the Office of Management and Budget. Lebanese anti-government protesters shout slogans outside the headquarters of the Lebanon Central Bank in Beirut, Lebanon. AdvertisementSince the summer, Israel has lobbied for the aid’s suspension, Israeli media reported, until the Lebanese army extricate itself from Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite faction that has military and political wings. “Of course we have a concern for Hezbollah’s position inside the Lebanese government, but the counterweight to Hezbollah is the Lebanese armed forces,” said Murphy. No money has been delayed in providing to the [Lebanese armed forces].

Source: Los Angeles Times November 28, 2019 19:41 UTC