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Arab League Announces Lebanese Aid

The Arab League announced this week that they have promised money to help rebuild Lebanon. A meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo announced their decision to fund reconstruction of the war-torn nation following a cease-fire agreement which came into effect last week. This is the first concerted effort by the Arab body to give aid, Lebanon previously fumed over the inability of Arab League states to come to the aid of the country.

The Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa said in Egypt that international backing for Lebanon left no room for moderate Arab states to come forth. This move comes as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has made it clear that his country wants Italy to lead the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. This, after France appeared to be reluctant to send more than 200 troops to Lebanon, far far fewer troops than were initally promised.

Iran has also pledged to contribute aid and to help rebuild infrastructure in Lebanon damaged by Israeli warplanes. Hizballah is the terrorist group responsible for starting the war which brought Lebanon death and destruction, and is funded by Iran. Tehran has not announced an amount yet regarding its financial aid pledges.