Special report: Israel-Lebanon conflicts [Gallery] [Videos]

Israel, Lebanon agree on ceasefire

    BEIRUT, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged here on Monday to help Lebanon with its reconstruction after the 34-day conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah.

    Blair made the promise in a news conference, where his Lebanese counterpart Fouad Siniora asked for Blair's help with postwar reconstruction and the "empowerment and enhancement" of the Lebanese army to improve the internal security in the country.

    Blair responded by saying that Britain was ready to provide "training, equipment, any help we can give," adding that Britain would commit over 40 million pounds (75 million U.S. dollars) in aid to Lebanon this year and was ready to do more.

    Blair arrived in Beirut on Monday morning after his trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem on Saturday and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday.

    Blair was greeted by angry demonstrators in Lebanon, as many Lebanese censured his refusal to call for an early ceasefire in Lebanon, which saw the great destruction of infrastructure and the death of about 1,200 Lebanese. Enditem