Donors Conference for Lebanon Raises $7.8 BILLION
Today in Paris, donor nations, government and business leaders came together to address the economic and rebuilding issues that Lebanon is facing as a nation. The conference was hosted by French President Jacques Chirac and the group includes Lebanon Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and business leaders, including our own John Chambers. Prime Minister Siniora is quoted in a Reuters story as saying, “Even in times of great despair our determination has never diminished. We have faith in the people of Lebanon.”
Other business executives leading this effort are Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Intel Chairman Craig Barrett, Yousif Ghafari, Chairman, GHAFARI, Inc.; and Dr. Ray Irani, Chairman, President and CEO, Occidental Petroleum Corporation. They were asked to lead this effort in September by U.S. President George Bush.
Chambers stated, “Only occasionally do you have an opportunity to make a difference in a person’s life, much less in a community. Through this partnership, we have a chance to make a difference in a country and perhaps even a region.” You can read a full Q&A on the Lebanon Partnership with Chambers here. Information on the Lebanon Partnership here.
More info on the partnership, as well as quotes from Prime Minister Siniora, Secretary Rice and the business leaders involved, can be accessed on the press release here.
Posted by John Earnhardt at 02:29PM PST
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