Status of the Global Donor's Conference

Question:   What is the status of the global donor's conference to support Lebanon? What specific aid has the United States given?

Answer:   The Core Group Ministerial held in September 2005 agreed to work towards an international "Friends of Lebanon" conference. The Core Group members include: United States, France, United Kingdom, Lebanon, European Union/European Commission, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Italy, United Nations and World Bank.

The purpose of the international conference is to support Lebanon's economic and political reform agenda, but before the conference can be held, the
Lebanese Government needs to have a Cabinet-approved reform plan to share
with the Core Group. We understand the Lebanese Government is working on this plan now.

U.S. assistance to Lebanon in FY 2006 will be approximately $42.3 million.
FY 2007 request for Lebanon is $43.2 million.

2006/189