Beirut- Prime minister Fouad Siniora's government on Friday provided the Justice Ministry with a loan to finance preparations to sue Israel for the damages and losses it inflicted on Lebanon during the 34-day war with Hezbollah.

Information Minister Ghazi Aridi told reporters after a cabinet session that funding the justice ministry's consultations, compiling of files about the damage inflicted during the war and presenting Lebanon's case was provided by some Lebanese banks, which he did not identify.

Lebanon estimated its losses during the 34-day war at 6.3 billion dollars. That includes the devastation and damaging of public and private property, mainly the nation's infrastructure as well as losses sustained by both public and private sectors as a result of the attack.

The war started when Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers on July 12. Israel responded by waves of air-naval-artillery bombardment that wrecked Lebanon's infrastructure and inflicted heavy losses to the nation's economy. Israeli response was described as disproportionate.

Aridi did not disclose details about Lebanon's case against Israel.

Picture: The tallest bridge in the middle east located on the Beirut Damascus highway near the resort town of Sofar was destroyed by Israel during the war. Israel bombarded the majority of Lebanon's bridges.

Sources: Naharnet,