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13:14 GMT
KUWAIT, Jan 17 (KUNA) -- Palestinian Minister of National Economy Mohammad Kamal Hasouna said Saturday that financial assistance allocated for the reconstruction of Gaza during the meeting of Arab foreign ministers here yesterday would be used according to a plan placed by the national authority last year.
Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of preparatory meetings for the Arab Economic Summit, he said the plan extended through to 2010 and included vital projects in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as reconstruction and compensations.
Reconstruction efforts in Gaza Strip may require over USD two billion, he said.
He said that special arrangements would be made in cooperation with civil societies and labor syndicates to guarantee the execution of these plans in Gaza Strip.
Hasouna noted that the Palestinian Authority paid the salaries of 77,000 employees and that 50 percent of its budget was for Gaza and development projects in the Strip. (end) kt KUNA 171614 Jan 09NNNN