Co-sponsor of Pakistan civilian aid act Lugar driven out of US Senate

Washington, May 9(ANI): Veteran U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, who was the co-sponsor of the contentious Kerry-Lugar-Bergman Act foreseeing 7.5 billion dollars in civilian aid to Pakistan over a five year period, will leave the Senate at the end of this year after facing electoral defeat at the hands of Richard Mourdock on Tuesday.

Lugar has become the first in-office senator to be thrown out in a presidential election year and surprisingly, a more conservative challenger in Mourdock did him in.

Lugar, who has frequently voiced gracious feelings for Pakistan, made clear he would stand by Tuesday's outcome, ruling out any chance of him running as an Independent.

"This is it," The Nation quoted Lugar, as saying.

John Kerry, the other co-sponsor of the so-called Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 (Kerry-Lugar-Bergman Act) and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator, expressed disappointment over Lugar's defeat, branding it a tragedy.

"This (Lugar's defeat) is a tragedy for the Senate and the loss is particularly felt by all of us who have been privileged to serve with Dick on the Foreign Relations Committee. It's a blow to the institution during a period when the institution itself has been strained," said Kerry in his statement.

The White House issued a statement by President Barack Obama expressing 'deep appreciation for Dick Lugar's distinguished service in the United States Senate.'

Obama said: 'While Dick and I didn't always agree on everything, I found during my time in the Senate that he was often willing to reach across the aisle and get things done." (ANI)