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WASHINGTON, July 16: The House of Representatives voted on Thursday to strip financial assistance for Saudi Arabia from a foreign aid bill because of criticism that the country has not been sufficiently cooperative in the US war on terrorism.
The vote was a stinging defeat for the Bush Administration which had strongly opposed the measure saying it would "severely undermine" counter-terrorism cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the US efforts for peace in the Middle East.
The House voted 217-191 to remove $25,000 in the $19.4 billion 2005 foreign aid bill earmarked for Saudi Arabia. -Reuters
