ECONOMY

‘No aid before reforms’, says Paris aid conference

n international support group, led by France and the United Nations, said that Lebanon cannot receive economic assistance until a new government undertakes significant reforms. The group is made up of international financial institutions and representatives from different countries, including the United States. U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs said the international support group said that the group supports the Lebanese protesters who are calling for an end to corruption and for reforming the political system. The former government had asked Saudi Arabia, France, Turkey, the United States, China, and Egypt to provide funds to help Lebanon finance imports. Separately, U.S. Secretary of State said that his country is ready to “do the things that the world can do to assist the Lebanese people getting their economy right and getting their government right.”