Economics
Expect Some Pushback Against U.S. Aid to Lebanon, Official Says
- Detractors worried about new government’s link to Hezbollah
- Top U.S. diplomat to Mideast sees continued aid as essential
An anti-government protester in central Beirut on Jan. 27.
Photographer: Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images
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Some U.S. officials are questioning the wisdom of granting desperately needed economic aid to Lebanon now that it’s formed a government backed by the militant Hezbollah group and its allies, a top American diplomat said.
“There will be a robust debate, I’m sure,” U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker said in an interview in Tel Aviv. “We will see where the government comes out on that but we are continuing aid. We think that the aid is well spent and it is not benefiting Hezbollah.”