The Biden administration plans to redirect USD 95 mn in military aid from Egypt to Lebanon, Reuters, citing a note it saw from the US State Department to Congress. The decision is aimed at supporting Lebanon’s armed forces, upholding the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement signed in November, and countering threats from Hezbollah and other non-state actors. The Congress has 15 days to object to the reallocation, but approval is highly expected, an anonymous congressional aide told the newswire.

“The move comes after some of Biden’s fellow Democrats in Congress expressed deep concerns about Egypt’s human rights record,” Reuters wrote. However, the notification did not explicitly tie Egypt’s human rights conditions to the reallocation, the newswire noted.

Remember: The US State Department approved in September to allocate the full annual USD1.3 bn military aid to Egypt, including USD 95 mn tied to “releasing political prisoners” despite objections from some congresspersons.

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