The White House announced that US President Joe Biden has authorized Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to allocate up to $47 million, in assistance of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

In the memo to Blinken, Biden said: “Under Section 552(g)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, I authorize the Secretary of State to allocate up to $25 million, in goods and services from the stock and resources, from any of the Government of the United States’ agencies, to provide Immediate assistance for the Lebanese Armed Forces.

He added, “I also authorize the Minister of Foreign Affairs, under Article 506 (a) (1) of the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act, to reduce the cost of up to $22 million, on defense materials and services from the Ministry of Defense, to be provided as immediate assistance to the Lebanese Army.”