Two U.S. lawmakers who blocked $100 million in U.S. aid to Lebanon's military say they have lifted their hold on the funds after being assured the aid would not fall into the hands of Hezbollah militants threatening Israel.
Democratic Representative Howard Berman released a statement Friday saying he based his decision to release the funds on a U.S. review of the aid-to-Lebanon program and a series of classified briefings with Obama administration officials.
Fellow Democratic Representative Nita Lowey confirmed through a spokesman that she has also lifted her hold on the funds.
The lawmakers withheld their support for the aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces in August after a border clash between Lebanese and Israeli soldiers that killed two Lebanese soldiers, a Lebanese journalist, and an Israeli officer.
Berman is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs committee. Lowey heads a foreign operations subcommittee on the House Appropriations committee.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.