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Lebanon

Paul Wolfowitz remarks at International Conference on Lebanon

Press Release No:2007/31/EXC

ROME, July 26, 2006 - World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz attended the International Conference on Lebanon in Rome today. He delivered the following remarks:

"The death and destruction of the current warfare and the suffering of innocent civilians move the hearts of everyone here. It is difficult in present circumstances to think about reconstruction while this death and destruction continues.

As Javier Solana reminded us, the developments in Lebanon last year brought great hopes for the rebirth of an independent nation that held the prospect of peace and progress which would benefit not only the people of Lebanon but the entire region as well, including Israel.

The tragedy of the current war has been a terrible setback to those hopes, but everything possible must be done to try to revive them as soon as possible.

As a member of the Core Group, the World Bank will continue to support Lebanon's reconstruction and its sustained development.

To these ends, World Bank staff have already begun to work with their Lebanese counterparts to address emergency needs. We are prepared to move as quickly as possible to help identify, design and prepare an Emergency Reconstruction Operation. We will also assist with an economic and social impact assessment.

Looking to the broader objectives of a stronger, stable Lebanon, we are prepared to work closely with the Lebanese Government to convene the donors' conference anticipated by the Core Group.

The work begun by the Core Group last September in New York should be accelerated so that the anticipated donors' conference for Lebanon can be held as soon as possible once peace is restored. We can begin preparations with the Core Group in the coming weeks in coordination with the other international organizations and regional partners.

We will do all we can to help Lebanon rebuild and grow".

Contacts:

In Washington: Karem Elsharkawy (202) 458 2931, cell: (202) 468-0761, kelsharkawy@worldbank.org
Dina El Naggar (1-202) 473-3245, Delnaggar@worldbank.org