Middle East News
Donors pledge 7.6 billion dollars for Lebanon rebuilding (2nd Lead)
Jan 25, 2007, 15:20 GMT
Paris - Donor nations have promised some 7.6 billion dollars for the reconstruction of Lebanon at an international conference held Thursday in Paris, French President Jacques Chirac during a break in the meeting.
Of that total, Saudi Arabia pledged 1.1 billion dollars, while the World Bank contributed 700 million dollars and the United States released 770 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.
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 Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora had hoped to raise at least 5 billion dollars during the conference.
'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 in Paris.
Chirac opened the conference by saying it was 'absolutely indispensable' that the international community gives 'substantial and immediate financial support' to Lebanon.
'Financial stability is essential to Lebanon's political stability,' the French president said, 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, which came two days after violent turmoil shut down much of the country, is crucial for the survival of Seniora's government.
Seniora 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 carried out protests and strikes throughout the country.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
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What assurance do they have that they won't destroy it again?
You have terrorists in charge. Until they are gone...you are slaves.
'Pledge' is a tricky word. The world 'pledged' over 20 billion dollars for Tsunami reconstruction works. Actual money sent was only 180 million dollars!
Will this pledge of 7.8 billion bring back the 1200 innocent civilians killed by the Israelie state terrorists???!!!
#1 Human rights abuser in the world is Israel! Go check the UN list!
Rebuilding should fall squarely on the alleged shoulders of Israel and her murderers. TESE PEOPLE ARE EVIL AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN!!!!!
'#1 Human rights abuser in the world is Israel! Go check the UN list!'
Oh yeah, hey everyone, go check out that 'UN human rights abuser list'...
News flash, Iran is behind this violence to distract from the UN sanctions.
Iran hangs 'disobedient' girls, homosexual boys, sentences girls to death for defending themselves against rapists, ect, To say that Syria and Iran haven't demolished Lebanon is just denying the obvious.
'Will this pledge of 7.8 billion bring back the 1200 innocent civilians killed by the Israelie state terrorists???!!!'
Iran, through their puppet Nasrallah started that war, he hid behind women and children according to the very same UN that you tried to cite with your made up list.
'The U.N. humanitarian chief accused Hezbollah on Monday of 'cowardly blending' in among Lebanese civilians and causing the deaths of hundreds during two weeks of cross-border violence with Israel... 'My message was that Hezbollah must stop this cowardly blending ... among women and children,' he said. 'I heard they were proud because they lost very few fighters and that it was the civilians bearing the brunt of this. I don't think anyone should be proud of having many more children and women dead than armed men.'
Syria is also under investigation from that very same UN that you tried to cite with your factious list, for political assassinations in Lebanon. Do you still want to quote the UN to try to provide cover for that cowardly dog Nasrallah?
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Luck to LebanonJan 25th, 2007 - 18:17:48
' Donor nations have promised some 7.6 billion dollars for the reconstruction of Lebanon'
Which is why Hizbollah and its Iranian puppet masters are working overtime to destroy the government. If Lebanon is a peaceful and prosperous country they know they will lose influence. This is why they start wars, assassinate statesmen and cause riots. They are thugs.
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