Washington: The US House of Representatives has passed a defense spending bill that would authorise US $ 696 billion in military programmes, including US $ 189 billion for Washington's military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill, which was passed yesterday by an unanimous vote of 370 to 49, will most likely be taken up for voting by the Senate this week, after which it will be sent to President George W Bush for signing into law. "This is a strong bill for our brave men and women in uniform, for America's friends and allies around the world, and our own security," Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Tom Lantos said.

The legislation includes 3.5 per cent pay raise for military services personnel.

The defense authorisation follows the lead of Lantos bipartisan International Nuclear Fuel for Peace and Nonproliferation Act which was passed by the House in June. It designates US $ 50 million to support the establishment of an international nuclear fuel bank under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"I am proud that the House has acted to create an international nuclear fuel bank, which will help make the world safer by promoting nuclear non-proliferation," Lantos said.

Source : PTI