The US Congress night agreed a budget for 2003 amid bitter partisan sniping.
The mammoth $397.4 billion spending bill that will fund much of the US federal government through the end of September sailed through the House of Representatives, where it was approved 338-83. It was later approved in the Senate - 76-20.
Jordan, which is expected to play a key role in any possible US-led invasion of Iraq, saw US military aid more than double to reach $198 million. Amman will also get $250 million in economic help, up from $150 million in 2002.
Israel will receive $2.1 billion in military aid and $600 million dollars in economic aid.
Egypt, which has been often criticised for failing to curb domestic anti-Semitism and pressure the Palestinians into abandoning their uprising, will see its economic assistance program reduced by $40 million, to a total of $615 million.Last night's vote gives the Pentagon an additional 10 billion dollars for military and intelligence activities related to the "war on terror".President Bush hailed his budget, saying: "This budget will provide valuable resources for priorities such as homeland security, military operations, and education, while adhering to the spending restraint set forth in my budget".
But House Democratic Minority Leader Ms Nancy Pelosi said: "There are many egregious items in the bill, especially the lack of funding for critical homeland security needs".
AFP