Billions Shift: Support for Lebanon Instead of Egypt

The US government under President Joe Biden plans to redirect $95 million in military aid, originally intended for Egypt, to Lebanon. This decision was made in light of threats from Hezbollah and other non-state actors, while Lebanon maintains a ceasefire agreement with Israel. According to a document sent by the US State Department to Congress, the Lebanese armed forces are considered a "key partner" in the implementation of the Israel-Lebanon agreement of November 27, 2024, aimed at ending hostilities. This action by the Biden administration also occurs in the context of concerns within the US Congress regarding Egypt’s human rights situation, particularly the imprisonment of numerous political prisoners. Although the State Department and the Egyptian embassy in Washington initially did not provide statements, it became known that in September, the conditions for humanitarian military aid to Egypt were bypassed. As a result, Cairo was granted the full aid package of $1.3 billion, including the $95 million tied to progress in the release of political prisoners. The redirection of funds is intended to further professionalize the Lebanese armed forces, enhance border security, combat terrorism, and address security requirements influenced by the power shift in Syria. A Congressional advisor expects that the democratically-led reallocation of funds will be welcomed in Congress.