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Bush pledges US$180 million more in humanitarian aid to Lebanon
President Bush yesterday announced $180 million in new humanitarian aid to Lebanon and urged quick deployment of an expanded international peacekeeping force to provide a security buffer between that nation and Israel, though he said the task of disarming Hezbollah will be left to the Lebanese government. "Our nation is wasting no time in helping the people of Lebanon. In other words, we're acting before the [international peacekeeping] force gets in there," Mr. Bush said at an hourlong press conference, in which he also pledged to remain in Iraq through the end of his presidency. "We've been on the ground in Beirut for weeks," Mr. Bush said, adding that the U.S. has already distributed about $25 million in aid, or half of the previous commitment made in July. Interesting, that. Who is distributing, and who else is there? Yesterday's new aid brings the total commitment to $230 million and includes $42 million to help Lebanon's military prepare for deployment in southern Lebanon, money to rebuild schools in time for the school year and a response team to help clean up an oil spill off the country's coast. Mr. Bush said he also will ask Congress to extend loan guarantees to Israel to help that nation rebuild. Acknowledging who repays loans, and who just takes. A businesslike approach. Posted by: trailing wife 2006-08-22 |
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