US approves $47m in aid to crisis-hit Lebanon army

US President Joe Biden yesterday authorised an aid package worth $47 million to the Lebanese army.

Biden issued a memorandum authorising Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to withdraw up to $25 million in commodities and services from the US government to provide immediate assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

He has also authorised Blinken to withdraw up to $22 million in “defense articles and services from the Ministry of Defense” to provide immediate assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Last week, a delegation from the US Senate visited Beirut and met with a number of officials.

Lebanon is facing a severe economic crisis, with the local currency losing nearly all of its value against the dollar. The deep economic meltdown is threatening its stability. The World Bank has called it one of the deepest depressions of modern history.

It has been operating under a caretaker government since August 2020 after the cabinet of Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned following the massive Beirut port blast.

READ: Lebanon raises fuel prices by 66% as it tries to ease shortages