France to host virtual donor conference for Lebanon

France will host a virtual international donor conference to to provide humanitarian aid for cash-strapped Lebanon, Reuters reported on Thursday.

The meeting will be co-hosted with the United Nations, with the aim of attracting high-level international representation, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

"There isn’t huge appetite to help Lebanon from the international community, but relief should go directly to the people," Reuters quoted one of the sources as saying.

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged continue with efforts to stabilise Lebanon's economy, following the devastating explosion in Beirut's port in August which caused widespread damage and exacerbated the country's economic and political woes.

So far, however, France's push to stabilise Lebanon and allow the release of of billions of dollars in international aid has yet to succeed.

The sources cited by Reuters said Paris decided to push ahead with the conference due to the devastating impact Covid-19 pandemic.