JERUSALEM, November 12, 2007 (WAFA)-The United States has given Israel 155 million dollars to develop an advanced missile interception system, Israeli sources said.

The sources added that amount is $17 million more than the designated sum for these projects in the 2008 fiscal year, and $75 more than the original White House proposal.

The money, which Congress approved on Wednesday, will help advance the development of a multi-layered anti-missile system that Barak presented to his US counterpart Robert Gates in Washington last month.

The system is allegedly intended to counter projectiles ranging from rudimentary rockets to long-range missiles.

Israel has already tested and deployed its Arrow anti-missile system, jointly developed with the United States, which is said to be able to deflect most missile strikes against the occupied territories.

The aid package is part of the US Defense Appropriations Bill for the 2008 fiscal year. The bill will require the approval of both houses of Congress, but this will be given as a matter of course.

The bill will then be presented to President George W. Bush, who will probably sign it before the end of November, ahead of the Annapolis peace conference.