Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE pledge 90 mn dollar to Lebanon

DUBAI, July 16: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates today pledged 90 million dollar to help Lebanon after its prime minister said Israeli attacks turned the country into a disaster area.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said late yesterday Beirut needed a comprehensive plan to rush aid into the country.

The official Saudi Press Agency said King Abdullah ordered the immediate transfer of 50 million dollar ''for the (Lebanese) prime minister to spend on emergency aid and basic services to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people''.

It said the move was in response to Siniora's call.

The cabinet of fellow Gulf Arab oil exporter Kuwait allocated 20 million dollar ''to provide urgent aid to brothers in Lebanon to help them in the face of this barbaric aggression and ease their suffering'', according to the state media.

The United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan ordered a donation of million to provide medical and other aid supplies to Lebanese people, the official WAM news agency reported.

About 140 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since Hizbollah guerrillas captured two Israeli soldiers and killed eight on Wednesday. The attacks destroyed key infrastructure, including bridges, power stations and ports.

In Israel, 12 civilians and 12 troops have been killed in fighting since Wednesday.

The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in south Lebanon where Hizbollah guerrillas are active.

REUTERS