France hosts Lebanon conference hampered by empty seats

An aid conference for Lebanon opens in Paris on Thursday in the hope of raising half a billion euros ($540bn), with hosts France also targeting diplomatic progress for the country.

But in the absence of key players, any political breakthrough appears remote in the Israeli war on Lebanon, during which Israel has killed over 2,500 people and displaced 800,000 people.

Around 70 countries and 15 international organisations are expected, although the list of invitees did not include either Iran or Israel.

French President Emmanuel Macron will open the conference following a one-on-one meeting Wednesday with Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati, while Germany and Canada have sent their foreign ministers Annalena Baerbock and Melanie Joly.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will speak remotely.

The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said in a statement the gathering was "an important occasion to mobilise the urgent political and economic support to the Lebanese people and country's sovereignty".

Reporting by AFP