France pledged €100 million ($108 million) at an international conference to support Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which has resulted in over 2,500 deaths and displaced around 1 million people, AP News reports.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for “massive aid” to assist displaced individuals and communities hosting them. The conference, involving over 70 nations and organizations, aims to raise $426 million in humanitarian aid. Germany pledged €96 million, and Italy committed €10 million to Lebanon and Syria. However, experts expressed concerns about the challenges of delivering aid due to Lebanon’s reliance on a cash economy, which raises issues of transparency and corruption.
The conference also seeks to coordinate international support to strengthen Lebanon’s armed forces, which could play a role in a potential deal to end the war. This includes plans to recruit additional soldiers and improve military capabilities. Participants also discussed supporting the 10,500-soldier UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL), as part of the broader strategy for stability in the region.
