Environmental Damage from Israeli Bombings 'Devastating'

"And now, more than 15 months later, the United Nations has released a report detailing the extent of the destruction caused by that oil spill to human health, biodiversity, fisheries and tourism."

"The destruction has had 'serious implications' for livelihoods and economy in that continuously trouble-plagued country."

"The Israeli bombing, which destroyed storage tanks and the El-Jiyeh power plant, triggered the release of about 15,000 tonnes of fuel oil into the Mediterranean Sea, leading to the contamination of some 150 kms of coastline in Lebanon and neighbouring Syria."

"After an assessment of the economic damage, the World Bank said the overall cost was between 527 million dollars and 931 million dollars, averaging about 729 million dollars, or about 3.6 percent of Lebanon's gross domestic product in 2006."

"The damages affected forests, water, air, hotels, beach resorts, public beaches, restaurants and commercial fishing."

"The implications of the oil spill have been studied and assessed by over half a dozen international and environmental organisations, including the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), the U.N. Environment Programme, the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organisation."

"According to the 14-page report, financial and technical assistance have so far come from more than a dozen countries, including Kuwait, Norway, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and the United States."

"To date, the report says, the government of Israel has yet to assume its responsibility for prompt and adequate compensation to the government of Lebanon."