Salam Urges Arabs for More Funds to Rebuild Nahr al-Bared

Prime Minister Tammam Salam urged Arab and mainly Gulf countries on Friday to fund the rebuilding project of the northern Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared, which was levelled in 2007.

Salam sent the leaders of the Arab countries letters briefing them on the need for an additional donation of 280 million dollars to rehabilitate the camp.

In the aftermath of the battles between the Lebanese army and al-Qaida-inspired group Fatah al-Islam militants in 2007, donors pledged during a conference in Vienna 345 million dollars.

But until now, only 188 million dollars have been donated, Salam said in the letters, which he handed to the ambassadors of the Arab states during a meeting at the Grand Serail.

The rebuilding of the areas near the shantytown and al-Beddawi camp also cost an additional 122 million dollars, which make the deficit around 280 million dollars, he added.

“The Lebanese government is hoping that the friendly Arab (countries) would share the burden to fund the rest of the projects needed for the rehabilitation process,” the letter said.

Failure to do so would lead to a stop in construction work at the start of 2015, it added.

Around 31,000 refugees were left homeless by the Nahr al-Bared war, which also killed 400 people, including 168 soldiers.

G.K.

M.T.