Скачать или смотреть International conference to discuss economic assistance to Lebanon

(23 Nov 2002)

1. Panning family photo of "Paris II" conference members, including French President Jacques Chirac and leaders of the other donor countries
2. Push in to Chirac at head of meeting table
3. Various of diplomats sitting around meeting table

STORYLINE:

A meeting of 18 international donor countries met in Paris on Saturday to discuss economic assistance to Lebanon and support for Lebanese economic and financial reform measures.

The conference -- entitled "Paris II" -- was called by French President Jacques Chirac, and was attended by Western and Arab leaders, including German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Italian President Silvio Berlusconi and European Union President Romano Prodi.

Beirut is recovering from 15 years of internal warfare, and is busy carrying out structural reform programmes in order to contain budget deficits.

The aim of Saturday's conference was to examine progress made by Lebanon, according to Chirac, and especially to encourage more investment in the country.

Lebanese debt is thought to stand at more than 31 million dollars -- 180% of its net gross national product.

According to the Lebanese delegation, Beirut was awarded US 4 billion dollars in financial aid credits at the Paris conference.

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