The Government presented a $10 billion plan today to rebuild Lebanon after 15 years of civil war, but critics say it will plunge the country deeper in debt.

Progress also has been made in rebuilding Lebanon's war-torn physical and financial infrastructure.

It is good that international donors have pledged $7.6 billion to help rebuild Lebanon after last summer's devastating Israeli air strikes.

The United States also needs to take front-line responsibility for rebuilding southern Lebanon.

But wait - where will Hezbollah get some of the $3 billion-plus needed to rebuild Lebanon?

But the biggest obstacle to rebuilding Lebanon right now is the slow pace of assembling an international peacekeeping force.

At the same time, many Arabs complain that they see their country's wealth helping to rebuild Lebanon.

The second challenge is to help rebuild Lebanon after the devastation of the summer.

Israel should now be asked to help rebuild Lebanon on the basis of 'the destroyer pays'.

Mr. Hariri, a billionaire, became prime minister in 1992, and did much to rebuild Lebanon and its economy.