Gargash reiterates UAE's support to Palestinian cause

Abu Dhabi - June 24, 2008 (WAM) - United Arab Emirates is keenly following up the rehabilitation of Palestinian refugees in the Nahr al-Barid refugee camp in Lebanon.

Speaking at the international donor's conference for the
reconstruction of Nahr al-Barid Refugee camp, currently being held in
Vienna, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash
said that UAE always took a strong, principled stand in supporting the
legitimate political rights of the Palestinian people.

Gargash hailed the role of the Lebanese government in evolving a
comprehensive project for protecting the rights and human dignity of the
Palestinian refugees in the Nahr al-Barid Camp. With over 40,000 people
living in the dilapidated homes, the Nahr al- Barid refugee camp is the
largest in Lebanon.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and charities have for years been trying
to achieve an improvement in the living conditions in the badly overcrowded
camp.

Gargash said that the country's support to the reconstruction project is
being seriously studied to implement it, in coordination with the Lebanese
government.

During the last 14 years alone, UAE has provided over US$4.2bn in aid to
Palestinian people; the minister noted. Emirates News Agency (WAM) has
learnt that various countries have pledged US$122mn so far in aid for the
reconstruction of Nahr Al-Barid refugee camp.