US$ 2.5 billion bomb damage

Lebanon: Israel's bombardment of Lebanon has destroyed an estimated LBP 3.75 trillion (US$ 2.5 billion) worth of infrastructure, according to the Lebanese Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR).

Local press reported CDR president Al-Fadl Chalak as saying Israel's bombing campaign has rendered more than 65 roads and 66 bridges unusable. Lebanon's three largest airports and four of its ports are also out of action.

Damage to electricity production and distribution infrastructure is put at LBP 271 billion (US$ 180 million), while damage to its water and telecommunication networks totals LPD 234 billion (US$ 155 million). Some LBP 1.4 trillion (US$ 953) of residential and commercial property has been destroyed, along with ten factories and 22 fuel stations worth LBP 271 billion (US$ 180 million).

Mr Chalak said damage to the airports and some roads could be repaired quickly and most infrastructure could be rebuilt within three years with help from the Gulf States. To this end Saudi Arabia has promised LBP 1.5 trillion (US$ 1 billion) and Kuwait LBP 750 billion (US$ 500 billion) to rebuilding efforts.

The war has also brought work on CDR's rolling LBP 5.4 trillion (US$ 3.6 billion) infrastructure development program in the country to a standstill.