The Stockholm Conference on Lebanon´s Early Recovery on August 31 raised nearly $940 million, which almost doubles the target of $500 million set by the conference's organizer, the Swedish government.
The U.S. contributed more than $200 million while EU promised $50 million in addition to its earlier commitments before the war.
But EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, speaking at a press conference in Brussels the previous day, warned that money alone will not rebuild Lebanon. She regards financial aids as the first step and thinks EU needs to act in solidarity with the Lebanese people.
"The revival [of Lebanon] will be a complex process, in which financial, security and political questions are intertwined—above all, what we need to help bring about, is the empowerment of the Lebanon government, and thus support the national rehabilitation, reform and development plans," said Ms. Ferrero-Waldner.
The current Lebanese government, with the support of U.N. interim troops, shoulders the responsibility of taking command over the country and disarming Hezbollah, while Israel has the obligation to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon, according to the U.N. 1701 Resolution.
The U.N. has repeatedly called Israel to lift the blockade of Lebanon by sea and air. The Israeli government replied that it will not lift the blockade as long as the Hezbollah is controlling southern Lebanon.
Observers are skeptical that the weak Lebanese government is capable of fulfilling its part of the U.N. resolution.
"The sovereignty of the Lebanon government must be fully restored," stated Ferrero-Waldner, adding that the government must regain authority over the country, and that EU is ready to help in the "rehabilitation, reform and development plans."
Before the war broke out, Ferrero-Waldner was in Lebanon to discuss social-economic plans. She said that the war has strengthened the EU´s commitment to pursue reform plans for the Middle East.
The Israeli bombings during the 34-days fighting have damaged infrastructure and properties in Lebanon that worth billions of dollars, said the Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora at the Stockholm conference.
Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, being asked at a press conference televised by Swedish Television whether Israel is following international law, answered, "Israel must respect international law of course. But, it is important to say that Hezbollah's actions are not consistent with international law. The abduction of Israel soldiers and bombing of civilian targets in Israel are also not in line with international law." The prime minister also said it is important for Israel to end the blockade of Lebanon.
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