UN secretary-general rallies support for Lebanon

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched a plan on Wednesday to revitalise Beirut as "beating heart of Leban" and urged country's leers to form a new government amid a political delock. Speaking in a pre-recorded video mess to International Conference in Support of Lebanese People, Guterres anunced creation of a fund handled by World Bank, UN and European Union to provide support for Leban.

support would finance food, healthcare, education and reconstruction of Port of Beirut. meeting, which was held via videoconference by UN and France, was second since disastrous August 4 explosion that destroyed port and wrecked large parts of capital.

blast, which killed over 200 people and wounded thousands, was caused by detonation of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrates that h been stored unsafely at a port warehouse for years. explosion came amid an unprecedented financial meltdown - worsened by pandemic-related closures - that has brought soaring inflation, poverty and unemployment.

World leers and international organisations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid after blast but warned that money for rebuilding capital will be me available until Lebanese authorities commit mselves to serious political and ecomic reforms. dors pledged aid will be coordinated by UN and delivered directly to Lebanese people, in a clear rebuke of country's entrenched and toriously corrupt leers. 

(Im Credits: AP)