Monrovia — The National Veteran Commission Bill sent to the National Legislature by the Executive Branch is reportedly facing opposition at the Liberian Senate and that it is likely to be rejected because of certain provisions senators are unhappy with.

The bill was sent approved by members of the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for its concurrence. In the wake of the development, Defense Minister has been throwing light on the bill.

Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai Jr. told reporters Wednesday that the bill only favors members of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), who were honorably retired or dishonorably discharged, and not former rebels as being suggested in many quarters, even some members of the National Legislature who are arguing the passage of the bill.

In his clarification, the Defense boss said retired soldiers who served for minimum five years or more are the ones the Bill largely covers, stressing that veterans are different from those (eat-die 90) who have received US$540.00 recently from the government.

He added that though those recruited in 1990 are not veterans, but will form part of the proposed veterans' bureau, but for a specified time frame as provided in the bill.

Defense Minister Samukai clarified that the bill is not intended to award former warring faction leaders or former combatants as being been perceived by some Liberians.

"The key issue is, no warring faction member is a veteran. The bill now before the House of Senate is not rewarding former combatants or their leaders, or those recruited in 1990," Minister Samukai said.

"The strength of said proposed bureau will be around five thousand retired AFL soldiers who will receive benefits for their services to their country."

If passed into law, the head of the bureau will be appointed by the president of Liberia, and not the Defense Ministry, he said. He said this is done in other countries such as Rwanda, Nigeria, and that it was necessary for Liberia which is a member of the international community.

Minister Samukai said that the current AFL soldiers are expected to benefit from the bureau after they shall have reached the retirement age.