French minister says Lebanon conference raised one billion dollars in pledges

France’s President Emmanuel Macron hugs Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, left, during international conference for Lebanon in Paris (Alain Jocard/AP)

France’s foreign minister said Paris’ international conference for Lebanon raised one billion dollars (£770 million) in pledges for humanitarian aid and military support.

Jean-Noel Barrot said: “We have collectively raised 800 million dollars in humanitarian aid and 200 million dollars for the security forces, that’s about one billion”, in his closing speech at the conference, which gathered over 70 nations and international organisations.