Sweden to deliver food into Lebanon

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency said it will ship trucks and personnel to Syria this week to organize aid convoys into Lebanon over the next three months, as part of a WFP plan to assist the 750,000 Lebanese displaced by Israel's land, sea and air offensive over the last two weeks.

Photo: Sweden to deliver food into Lebanon

The Swedish personnel will also hire local vehicles and help train drivers to organize convoys according to U.N. standards after the three-month period is over, Larsson said.

U.N. humanitarian chief Jan Egeland on Monday issued an emergency appeal for US$150 million ( Ђ 120 million) in aid to Lebanon.

International Development Minister Carin Jamtin said money has been pledged by U.N. members, but the logistics of delivering aid remains a challenge, as it requires Israeli approval, the AP reports.

"On this occasion, the money will not be the big problem," Jamtin said. "But access will be, and whether (the aid) will arrive."

Egeland told Israel Army Radio on Tuesday he hopes a humanitarian aid convoy could move from Beirut to southern Lebanon later this week if the Israeli army approves.