(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (KUNA) -- The US announced Friday that it will "redirect" approximately 230 million in stabilization funds for Syria after it elicited some USD 300 million in contributions from coalition partners to support the country's stabilization efforts.
The decision was made by the State Department and the White House and "took into account the already significant military and financial contributions made by the United States to date, the President's guidance on the need to increase burden sharing with allies and partners, and significant new pledges made by Coalition partners," said a memo from the State Department.
The State Department plans to work with Congress to redirect the funds to "support other key foreign policy priorities.
"This decision does not represent any lessening of US commitment to our strategic goals in Syria," the State Department said.
"The President has made clear that we are prepared to remain in Syria until the enduring defeat of IS, and we remain focused on ensuring the withdrawal of Iranian forces and their proxies." The US asserted that it has provided almost 8.1 billion in assistance and "will continue" to provide aid to the country.
Of the USD 300 million pledged by the coalition, USD 100 million was given by Saudi Arabia and USD 50 million was pledged by the UAE. (end) ak.ibi
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