(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, a Saudi delegation charged with establishing a field hospital to treat victims of the crisis in Lebanon arrived in Beirut.

This humanitarian medical assistance follows a foreign aid package for the country announced yesterday by Saudi Arabia. The aid package includes a $500 million grant that will form the nucleus of an Arab and international fund for the reconstruction of Lebanon. The Kingdom will also deposit one billion dollars with the Central Bank of Lebanon to support the Lebanese economy. This aid is in addition to the $50 million provided by the Kingdom last week for emergency relief assistance for the Lebanese people.

To address the concurrent crisis in the Palestinian Territories, the Kingdom has earmarked $250 million as a grant to be part of an international fund for reconstruction and relief in the Palestinian Territories.

“The people of Lebanon and Palestine are in dire need of assistance as they face this ordeal,” said Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Turki Al-Faisal.

“Saudi Arabia continues to support the people of these nations and to strive for a rapid end to this crisis. We are currently working with members of the global community, including the United States and the United Nations, to restore peace.”

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and other Saudi officials met with President Bush on July 23 to seek a resolution to the crisis. Prince Saud has also met with other foreign leaders on this issue.