US to spend $1.5b for exporting American democracy to MENA

US to spend $1.5b for exporting American democracy to MENA
Wed Mar 5, 2014 10:22:24

US President Barack Obama has proposed spending $1.5 billion next year for bringing American democracy to the Middle East and North Africa.

The money is intended to promote "reforms and transitions" in the Middle East and North Africa, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

Overall, Obama's fiscal 2015 budget request included $46.2 billion to fund the State Department and US Agency for International Development.

That total also included $4.5 billion to secure overseas personnel and facilities, including $2.2 billion for embassy security construction.

Security for US diplomats has been a focus of intense scrutiny -- particularly by Republicans in Congress -- since the September 11, 2012, attack in Benghazi, Libya, that killed the US ambassador and three other Americans.

The $2.2 billion was recommended by the independent Accountability Review Board set up after the attack.

NTJ/BA

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