The United States is helping Lebanon to recover after last summer's conflict, and is committed to a sovereign, democratic and prosperous Lebanon. The United States led the international effort to bring urgently needed humanitarian relief to the people of Lebanon. A comprehensive U.S. aid package continues to support reconstruction, development and security efforts throughout Lebanon. The United States also coordinates with the international community's efforts to foster Lebanon's long-term development and fiscal stabilization.
President Bush sent four U.S. CEOs and Assistant Secretary of State Dina Habib Powell to Lebanon in September 2006 to launch a public-private Partnership to assist the Lebanese people. The delegation included Craig Barrett, Intel Corporation; John Chambers, Cisco Systems, Inc.; Yousif Ghafari, Ghafari, Inc.; and Ray Irani, Occidental Petroleum Corporation. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with the Partnership CEOs at the January 2007 Lebanon Donors Conference in Paris, where Microsoft also joined the Partnership leaders. The Partnership is working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have a proven track record in Lebanon to address the immediate needs of adequate housing, education, and workforce training.
Donate an International Gateway and an Internet Exchange Point to Lebanon to improve the speed and efficiency of Internet traffic flow into the country.
Identify and place 500 Lebanese interns in various fields in Lebanon and the U.S. over the next three years.
Announce 25 priority projects in key industries of technology, tourism, banking and finance, agribusiness, health care, and manufacturing.
Establish community access centers to provide on-line access to job training, health care information, on-line education, and government services.