U.S. plans to shift military aid designated for Egypt to Lebanon
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A document from U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, released on Monday, announced plans to redirect $95 million in military aid originally designated for Egypt to Lebanon.
According to a report by Reuters, the decision reflects growing concerns among Biden’s fellow Democrats in Congress over Egypt’s human rights record, particularly the detention of thousands of political prisoners.
The U.S. Department of State notified Congress that the Lebanese Armed Forces are considered a “key partner” in implementing the Nov. 27, 2024, agreement between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ceasing hostilities and curbing threats from the Lebanese Hezbollah.
Neither the U.S. Department of State nor the Egyptian embassy in Washington has responded to requests for comment.
The notification did not specify whether the redirected $95 million was originally tied to progress on the release of political prisoners in Egypt. However, a congressional aide told Reuters that the coincidence in amounts was unlikely to be accidental.
“This is a way to say, ‘This funding that Egypt didn’t really deserve and doesn’t really need, let’s reprogram that and put this in a better place,” the aide told Reuters, requesting anonymity to speak freely.
A previous decision regarding military aid for Egypt last September encountered objections within Congress.
The Department of State document highlighted that the funds will be used to enhance the professionalism of the Lebanese Armed Forces, strengthen border security, combat terrorism, and address security challenges stemming from shifts in the Syrian conflict.