Donors gather to fund embattled Lebanese govt

International donors today gathered in Paris to drum up new funding for Lebanon’s embattled government, but there were concerns that recent violence there might dent nations’ willingness to donate.

The United States said it planned to more than triple its economic aid. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on the eve of the meeting that the Bush administration was seeking $770m (€590m) in new aid for Lebanon. The money, which must be approved by Congress, would finance long-term redevelopment and immediate rebuilding from last year’s devastating war between Hezbollah militants and Israel.