Paris Summit Promises $1 Billion Aid For Lebanon

JAKARTA - Dozens of countries and international agencies, including the United States, France and the United Nations, have pledged 1 billion US dollars or equivalent to Rp. 24.9 trillion to Lebanon in a humanitarian aid conference held in Paris.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Nomenal Barrrot said in his closing speech at the summit, 70 countries and 15 UN agencies collectively agreed to provide USD 800 million for humanitarian aid and USD 200 million for security forces.

"The participants gathered today agreed on the importance of a diplomatic solution to ensure long-term security for the public, both in Israel and in Lebanon," Barrut said at a press conference with the Lebanese prime minister.

"This includes ending hostilities on both sides of the border, deploying the Lebanese armed forces on a large scale in the south of the country, strengthening the capacity (the UN peacekeeping force) to carry out its mandate and resolving disputes over land borders," he said.

"Hezbollah, who bears a great responsibility for this war, must stop its attacks and comply with UN resolutions," continued Barrot.

Lebanese interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati said this support made Lebanon not stand alone.

"But at the same time, my heart is sad for Lebanon because we have to be increasingly mobilized to support this country, which believes in coexistence, freedom and values to protect it from this unfair Israeli aggression," he said.