PM calls for ceasefire, announces Rs 10 crore to Lebanon

New Delhi, July 27 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for an immediate ceasefire to end the "virtual destruction" of Lebanon and announced an aid of Rs 10 crore to humanitarian and relief efforts to rebuild the war-ravaged country.

India's assistance is in response to an appeal issued by the Government of Lebanon, he told the Lok Sabha in a suo-motu statement on the situation in Lebanon and the steps taken to evacuate stranded Indian nationals.

Denouncing the ''destruction of a country which has been ainfully rebuilt after two decades of civil war,'' Dr Singh said this could hardly be countenanced by any civilised state.

Today's statement of Dr Singh is his first response to the escalation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel following the abduction of two Israeli soldiers by the Hezbollah cadres on July 11.

He demanded immediate ceasefire............here pick up para four of PAR 6 "Lebanon-PM LS." UNI SH RP PC1734