France, other nations pledge aid package to support Lebanon at Paris conference

French FM says conference for Lebanon raised $1 billion in pledges

PARIS: France's foreign minister said an international conference for Lebanon raised $1 billion in pledges for humanitarian aid and military support to help the country where war between Hezbollah militants and Israel has displaced a million people, killed over 2,500, and deepened an economic crisis.

Jean-Noel Barrot said: "We have collectively raised $800 million in humanitarian aid and $200 million for the security forces, that's about $1 billion," in his closing speech at the Paris conference, which gathered over 70 nations and international organizations.

"We're up to the challenge," Barrot said. The United States pledged to provide about $300 million, he said.