Iran earmarks $20 million to support militants

November 29, 2009 03:08 pm | Updated 03:50 pm IST - TEHRAN

Pakistani women rally against Taliban and Islamic militants in Karachi. The rally was organised in protest against Talibans destroying girls schools in the troubled area of Swat in northern Pakistan. File photo: AP.

Pakistani women rally against Taliban and Islamic militants in Karachi. The rally was organised in protest against Talibans destroying girls schools in the troubled area of Swat in northern Pakistan. File photo: AP.

Iranian state radio says the country’s parliament has approved a bill earmarking $20 million to support militant groups opposing the West.

It was not immediately clear which groups would receive funding from Iran, but Tehran already backs the Islamic militants Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The report says the money will also be used to investigate alleged U.S. and British human rights abuses and plots against Iran.

State radio said on Sunday a committee that includes representatives from the intelligence and foreign ministries will decide how to divide the budget.

The move is seen as a reaction to U.S. and British criticism of Iran’s violent crackdown on protests after the disputed June presidential election.

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