U.S. Pledges Support for Lebanon

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced a $770-million aid package to help with Lebanon’s reconstruction. The war-ravaged nation is hoping to raise $9 billion in aid. Meanwhile, a Hezbollah-backed general strike and mass protests continue to threaten the tenure of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

BBC:

Lebanon hopes to raise up to $9bn (4.57bn; 7bn euros) to help it recover from last year’s conflict with Israel and a massive public debt.

The summit is taking place amid ongoing anti-government protests in Beirut.

Three people were killed and more than 100 were injured in some of the worst street violence in Beirut for years on Tuesday, when a general strike brought the country to a standstill.

Hezbollah, which called the strike, has warned of more unrest unless Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora steps down.

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