Palestine Economy Portal

 

An international video conference on emergency aid to Lebanon will be held today, at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron and under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, to meet the immediate needs after the wxplosion of Beirut port last week.

 

The first phase includes assistance in evacuating the wounded and rubble, providing medical assistance, rehabilitating electricity and water networks, hospitals and schools, and assisting with food.

 

The second phase of the conference will be political, as the Lebanese government has called for reforms that allow the country to obtain long-term aid.

Among the participants are US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Jordanian King Abdullah, Russian and Chinese leaders, the President of the European Union. While Israel is not among the participants, and a senior French presidential source told Maarif the Hebrew newspaper that Israel provided aid through the United States, The proposal is awaiting a response from the Lebanese government. Referring to President General Michel Aoun's opposition to an international investigation, the French source said that it was clear that the disaster resulted from an accident, and that the arguments that an Israeli plane was responsible for the deadly explosion were untrue.

 

Regarding Iran, the sources reported that Tehran "has not shown any intention to participate." As for Israel's desire, the Elysee sources said that the latter "contacted the United Nations, but the Lebanese sensitivity should be taken into account."