Monday, July 17, 2006

Middle East Crisis: Saudi's King orders immediate release of $50 million to help "alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people"

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have pledged $90 million to help Lebanon after its prime minister said Israeli attacks turned the country into a disaster area.

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

Kuwait has allocated $20 million "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 also donated $20 million.