International donor conference for Lebanon set to open in Paris

Jan 25, 2007, 10:05 GMT

Paris - Two days after violent turmoil shut down its capital Beirut, an international donor conference for the reconstruction of Lebanon was set to open Thursday in Paris.

French President Jacques Chirac, who is hosting the conference, and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora are hoping to raise some 5 billion dollars in aid and loans to help Lebanon pay off part of its public debt, estimated at 41 billion dollars, and rebuilt parts of the country destroyed in last summer's bombardment by Israel.

Some 40 countries are taking part in the conference, including the United States, European Union nations and representatives of Sunni Arab states from the Middle East.

In addition, senior officials from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the secretary-general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, are also participating.

The International Herald Tribune reported Thursday that the United States, which will be represented by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, is expected to provide at least 500 million dollars.

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.

The conference is crucial for the survival of Seniora's government, which has come under intense pressure from opposition parties, led by the radical Shiite group Hezbollah, to resign or form a government of national unity. Seniora has rejected both demands.

On Tuesday, three people died and some 170 were injured in violence as Hezbollah and its allies shut down the country through a series of protests.