BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri said Thursday the United States will attend an international conference this month in Paris meant to alleviate Lebanon's $30 billion debt.
"The U.S. participation is a kind of supportive attendance but without commitment to financial assistance," Hariri told As Safir newspaper.
He said the Nov. 23-24 Paris-2 meeting will be attended by heads of government as well as finance and economy ministers of several countries. The participant countries include France, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, Germany and Arab Gulf oil-rich countries in addition to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Lebanon hopes that Paris-2 meeting will help garner between $3 billion and 5 billion to replace its short-time high-interest loans with long-term low-interest loans with the aim of servicing the country's debts estimated at $30 billion.
Hariri said Lebanon was not seeking financial assistance or grants but wants the participants to provide "guarantees for additional loans in addition to pledges by some countries to offer long-term deposits with low interest."
The U.S. decision to participate at Paris meeting indicated that it was ready to provide support to assure the success of the conference.
