Financial bodies in Lebanon to discuss Paris conf. pledges

BEIRUT, Feb 18 (KUNA) -- Officials from Arab, European and international financial institutions held talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri Monday on implementation of resolutions of a donors' conference, held in France last year.
Saroj Kumar Jha, World Bank's Regional Director for the Mashreq, told reporters after the meeting about pledges made at the Cedar conference in Paris last April, they were looking forward to working with the Lebanese government to implement vital projects.
Jha said international financial institutions showed great commitment during the Cedar conference to help Lebanon.
Nadeem Al-Manla, Hariri's advisor, said the conference aimed at speeding up implementation of projects, as well as readiness of donors to offer further aid if Lebanon carried out necessary reforms.
The reforms, he added, were about fighting corruption and producing a new law for tenders.
Donors pledged USD 11.8 billion for Lebanon at the Paris conference. Lebanon is pinning high hopes on the financial pledges to overcome economic, living and social crises. (end) kbs.bs