Paris - As violence continued in Lebanon, donor nations have
promised some 7.6 billion dollars for the reconstruction of the
country at an international conference held Thursday in Paris, French
President Jacques Chirac announced.
Of that total, Saudi Arabia pledged 1.1 billion dollars, while the
World Bank contributed 700 million dollars to help Lebanon pay off
part of its public debt, estimated at 41 billion dollars, and to
rebuild parts of the country destroyed in last summer's bombardment
by Israel.
The United States, represented at the conference by Secretary of
State Condeleezza Rice, released 770 million dollars, of which 220
million dollars is earmarked for military aid for the embattled
government of Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.
The American aid must still be approved by Congress.
In addition, on Wednesday, during a meeting with Seniora, Chirac
pledged a loan of 500 million euros (650 million dollars) at what was
described as 'very advantageous terms.' In addition, the European
Commission announced Wednesday that it would pledge 400 million euros
at the conference.
Chirac and Seniora had hoped to raise at least 5 billion dollars
during the conference, which was held two days after three people
were killed and some 170 injured in Lebanon during violent nationwide
protests by opposition groups, led by the radical Shiite group
Hezbollah.
'Your support will be indispensable for peace in Lebanon,' Seniora
told the representatives from some 40 donor nations and a number of
international organizations such as the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund present at the conference.
As he spoke, violence erupted at the Arab University of Beirut
between students loyal to opposing factions in Lebanon's current
political crisis, leaving at least three people dead and more than 50
wounded.
Seniora also renewed his criticism of Israel, saying its attacks
were 'brutal and totally unjustified' and demanded that its leaders
'realize that war brings neither peace nor security.'
The EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana said that 'the
international community needs Lebanon. Only an independent, sovereign
Lebanon... can fully play its role within the international
community... and participate in the stability of the region.'
Chirac opened the conference by saying, 'Financial stability is
essential to Lebanon's political stability,' and described the
country as 'a nation that stubbornly wants to be reborn and more than
ever needs the unanimous support of the international community.'
Chirac went on to say that 'everyone knows that the stability of
Lebanon is decisive for stability in the entire region.'
The conference was crucial for the survival of Seniora's
government.
The Lebanese prime minister has come under intense pressure from
Hezbollah to resign or form a government of national unity. Seniora
has rejected both demands.
In its closing statement, conference representatives pledged full
support for Seniora's proposed economic reforms, which are also being
contested by Hezbollah.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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