An international conference will be held on Sunday (Aug. 9) to rebuild Lebanon, the French Presidency (the Elysee Palace) said Saturday. The conference, co-organized by France and the United Nation, will be held via videoconference with the aim of mobilizing efforts of Lebanon's main international partners, the Elysee Palace added in a statement. It also aims at organizing and coordinating emergency support of the international community to help overcome the crisis following the recent Beirut Port blast that rocked the Lebanese capital, it noted. The conference will focus on responding to Lebanon's most urgent needs, mainly those related to medical and nutritional rehabilitation, education and housing, the statement said. Representatives from the European Union (EU), the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), China, Russia, Jordan and Egypt will take part in the conference. French President Emmanuel Macron will host a donor conference for Lebanon as countries mobilize to help rebuild Beirut after this week's massive blast. The conference will seek pledges from participants including US President Donald Trump. It is expected to decide how to distribute the aid so it benefits the people directly. Macron, who visited Beirut on Thursday, promised angry Lebanese crowds that aid to rebuild the city ravaged by Tuesday's huge explosion would not fall into "corrupt hands". — Agencies
