US to give 30 mln dollars to Lebanon aid appeal

TEL AVIV, July 24 (Reuters) The United States will contribute 30 million dollars to an international appeal for humanitarian aid for Lebanon, a US official said today.

Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch said the aid would include medical kits for 100,000 people, 20,000 blankets and plastic sheeting. The United Nations earlier appealed for 150 million dollars in aid.

Welch said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would address the humanitarian situation in talks with Israeli officials.

REUTERS MQA ND2334