Thousands of Lebanese today joined the stream of refugees returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, followed closely by relief workers hoping to keep up with their needs in an area where a month of fighting devastated buildings and knocked out electricity and other essential services.

Children are particularly at risk from the aftermath of war in Lebanon, Israel and Gaza, the UN Children’s Fund said today.

France mobilised to send urgent aid to Lebanon, the Red Cross managed to get relief supplies to the south, and Israel agreed to allow a safe corridor for ensuring that food and medicine reaches those in need.

Osama bin Laden is thought to be leading around 1,000 al-Qaida fighters in defending his mountain stronghold of Tora Bora.