Sweden has invited 60 countries and aid agencies to a donors' conference aimed at helping Lebanon rebuild homes, roads and lives destroyed by the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
By
AP

15 Aug 2006 - 12:00 AM  UPDATED 24 Feb 2015 - 3:08 PM

Israel is not on the guest list for the August 31 meeting, which will include the Gulf States, the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Norway and Japan.

"The countries invited are those who are traditional donors at this type of conference," Swedish Aid Minister Carin Jamtin said, "This will not be a political meeting, it's about urgent reconstruction."

On the agenda for the meeting in the capital Stockholm, rebuilding ports, bridges and roads and helping the thousands of people displaced by the violence return home.

Ms Jamtin declined to name a figure on how much aid was needed, saying that was up to Lebanon to determine.

"The world community now has to give its support to Lebanon's recovery and to the Lebanese people who have been severely affected," said Foreign Minister Jan Eliasson, who will co-host the conference with Ms Jamtin.