US wheat heads to Lebanon from Jordan
AFP
Date: 08-31-06
AMMAN (AFP) - The US government has donated 700 tonnes of wheat to Lebanon as part of a "goodwill" gesture to help relief efforts, with the first trucks heading for Beirut from Jordan, the US embassy has said.
"It my desire to demonstrate the goodwill of the American people to the people of Lebanon," US Ambassador David Hale said at a ceremony to hand over the wheat to the World Food Programme in Amman.
The wheat, which was milled into flower at Jordan's South Amman Mills, is expected to help feed 350,000 people in Lebanon, Hale said.
Six trucks were heading to Lebanon, via Syria, Thursday while 12 others will follow on Saturday and Sunday, the embassy said.
The US government is also expected to send soon a shipment of lentils as part of efforts to respond to the immediate food needs of those affected by the conflict, Hale said.
"Should greater assistance needs be identified, the United States stands ready to meet those needs," he added.
"Our goal is to help the Lebanese people create conditions that will lead to the long-term security, stability, and prosperity of Lebanon and of the region.
"Humanitarian assistance is a critical need, but is only a part of the answer," Hale said, calling for speedy implementation of a UN ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
On August 21, US President George W. Bush announced that US reconstruction aid to Lebanon would be boosted to 230 million dollars, with 13.5 million dollars to be made available immediately for humanitarian needs.
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