Trump lifted a mysterious hold on military aid to Lebanon amid mounting criticism and comparisons to Ukraine

Mohamed Azakir/Reuters

• The Trump administration quietly released $105 million in military aid to Lebanon amid rising criticism and concern from US lawmakers and both current and former US officials.
• The military aid was placed under a mysterious hold for months, with no explanation. 
• Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and recently traveled to Lebanon, said there was "no legitimate security rationale to withhold funding."
• Lebanon is experiencing widespread unrest and the Lebanese Armed Forces is widely viewed as one of the only entities that can help keep the peace and protect demonstrators. 
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The Trump administration has released millions in military aid to Lebanon after placing a mysterious hold on the funds, which prompted criticism from lawmakers and former US officials. 

The aid was released right before Thanksgiving and lawmakers were notified on Monday, two congressional staffers and an administration official told the Associated Press.

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