Ceasefire brings Lebanon’s chicken home to roost

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib arrives in Riyadh in November 2024 to attend a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders. Credit: SPA

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Gulf leaders told Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati what they said to Palestinians when he asked the region’s wealthy energy exporters to fund the reconstruction of areas devastated by Israel’s war machine: “We will not pour money into a black hole. Call us when you have put your house in order.”

Speaking earlier this month at a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders, Mr. Mikati put Lebanon’s war losses at US$8.5 billion. That includes Israel’s destruction of 100,000 homes and substantial impacts on health, education, and agriculture, according to the World Bank.

The Gulf leaders advised Mr. Mikati on the sidelines of the summit that Lebanon would need to elect a new president and implement reforms to secure funding. The leaders are likely to reiterate their position at a Gulf summit in Kuwait this weekend.