This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/5301624.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lebanese PM makes plea for help Lebanese PM makes plea for help
(10 minutes later)
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has made an impassioned plea for help in rebuilding his country following the recent conflict with Israel.Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has made an impassioned plea for help in rebuilding his country following the recent conflict with Israel.
Mr Siniora told delegates at an international donors' conference in Sweden Lebanon's recovery from its civil war had been "wiped out in days".Mr Siniora told delegates at an international donors' conference in Sweden Lebanon's recovery from its civil war had been "wiped out in days".
Organisers are hoping to raise $500m (£260m; 392m euros).Organisers are hoping to raise $500m (£260m; 392m euros).
Meanwhile UN chief Kofi Annan is due to hold talks in Jordan and Syria to try to cement the ceasefire in Lebanon. Meanwhile UN chief Kofi Annan is due in Syria on the latest leg of a regional tour to bolster the ceasefire.
He has already visited Lebanon and Israel, which he urged to lift its blockade of Lebanon, imposed after fighting with Hezbollah militants broke out on 12 July. Stopping off in Jordan on Thursday morning, Mr Annan reiterated his call for Israel to lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon.
Israel imposed the blockade to stop arms reaching Hezbollah militants after fighting with the Lebanese group erupted on 12 July.
'Billions of dollars''Billions of dollars'
Mr Siniora told delegates the month-long conflict had plunged Lebanon's economy into a "deep recession".Mr Siniora told delegates the month-long conflict had plunged Lebanon's economy into a "deep recession".
Annan's Mid-East challenge Donors look to rebuild Crisis facts and figuresAnnan's Mid-East challenge Donors look to rebuild Crisis facts and figures
"Lebanon, which only seven weeks ago was full of hope and promise, has been torn to shreds by destruction, displacement, dispossession, desolation, and death," he said. "Lebanon, which only seven weeks ago was full of hope and promise, has been torn to shreds by destruction, displacement, dispossession, desolation and death," he said.
He said direct damage to Lebanon was "running into the billions of dollars", while losses to the economy would cost billions of dollars more.He said direct damage to Lebanon was "running into the billions of dollars", while losses to the economy would cost billions of dollars more.
Fifteen years of development since the end of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war had been "wiped out in a matter of days by Israel's deadly military machine", Mr Siniora said.Fifteen years of development since the end of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war had been "wiped out in a matter of days by Israel's deadly military machine", Mr Siniora said.
The Lebanese government has previously put the cost of damage at $3.6bn.The Lebanese government has previously put the cost of damage at $3.6bn.
It says 15,000 homes were damaged in the conflict and has appealed for $75m for temporary housing and $30m to repair major roads and put up bridges.It says 15,000 homes were damaged in the conflict and has appealed for $75m for temporary housing and $30m to repair major roads and put up bridges.
It has also asked for funds to help clear landmines and unexploded cluster bombs, which are preventing farmers returning to their fields.It has also asked for funds to help clear landmines and unexploded cluster bombs, which are preventing farmers returning to their fields.
On Wednesday the UN's humanitarian chief condemned the "completely immoral" way Israel dropped thousands of cluster bombs on Lebanon even as a resolution appeared imminent.On Wednesday the UN's humanitarian chief condemned the "completely immoral" way Israel dropped thousands of cluster bombs on Lebanon even as a resolution appeared imminent.
Israel says the weapons it uses are not illegal.Israel says the weapons it uses are not illegal.
SetbackSetback
Ministers from more than 60 countries are attending the donors' conference, as well as officials from the UN, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Red Cross.Ministers from more than 60 countries are attending the donors' conference, as well as officials from the UN, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Red Cross.
The European Union has already promised 42m euros (£28m) for Lebanon's short-term recovery.The European Union has already promised 42m euros (£28m) for Lebanon's short-term recovery.
But Swedish foreign ministry spokesman John Zanchi said organisers were hoping for much more.But Swedish foreign ministry spokesman John Zanchi said organisers were hoping for much more.
"We are hoping the international community will step up," he said."We are hoping the international community will step up," he said.
Before the conflict erupted, Lebanon had one of the more promising economies in the Middle East, with the government forecasting strong growth of 6% and paying off its debts.Before the conflict erupted, Lebanon had one of the more promising economies in the Middle East, with the government forecasting strong growth of 6% and paying off its debts.
Now it says output will plummet and it will run a deficit for the first time in several years. Unemployment is up sharply, and industry, agriculture, tourism and fishing were badly damaged.Now it says output will plummet and it will run a deficit for the first time in several years. Unemployment is up sharply, and industry, agriculture, tourism and fishing were badly damaged.