The Pentagon has authorised $1 billion of funding to help build Donald Trump’s border wall between the United States and Mexico.
Acting secretary of defence Patrick Shanahan has approved the plan to build a 57-mile section of 18-foot high "pedestrian fencing" along the border.
Building the wall was one of Mr Trump’s key campaign promises in 2016, though he claimed the money would come from Mexico and not American taxpayers.
The funding announcement comes as the president nears victory over Democrats over his declaration of a national emergency at the border.
Mr Trump's emergency declaration drew unanimous opposition from congressional Democrats, as well as opposition from some Republicans, especially in the Senate. Members objected that he was abusing presidential powers.
But while Congress approved a resolution to void Mr Trump's move, the margins by which the House and Senate passed the measure fell well short of the two-thirds majorities that will be needed to override his veto.
However, Mr Trump may not be able to spend the border wall money straight away because of lawsuits that could potentially take years to resolve.
Reporting by agencies.
