Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat –A Saudi Relief Medical Team left for Lebanon today to operate the Saudi Mobile Hospital in Beirut, in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

The medical team will extend the required medical services to persons who have been injured as the result of Israel’s vicious attacks on Lebanon.

The team includes 18 physicians, 15 male nurses, 12 pharmacists, 5 emergency technicians, 8 first aid and X-ray technicians, 3 lab technicians and other technicians. They represent the Ministries of Health, and Defense and Aviation; the National Guard and the Saudi Red Crescent Society.

In other news, Minister of Interior Prince Naïf bin Abdulaziz, who is also heads the Saudi Popular Campaign for the Relief of the Lebanese People, has allocated SR 21,375,000 [$5.7 million] for urgent relief assistance to the people of Lebanon.

The relief aid includes foodstuffs and medical supplies, Dr Sa’ed Al-Harethi, advisor to Prince Naif, said. The aid will be distributed in coordination with a number of international and Lebanese organizations, he said.

Saudi Arabia has acted quickly to provide substantial aid to Lebanon. Immediately after the crisis began, Saudi Arabia provided $50 million in emergency relief assistance. On July 25, the Kingdom announced a separate aid package for Lebanon that includes a $500 million grant for reconstruction and a $1 billion deposit with the Central Bank of Lebanon to support the Lebanese economy.

In addition, a July 26 telethon to raise money for the Lebanese people collected more than SR 109 million [$29 million]. In addition, on July 27, the Kingdom dispatched a fully equipped field hospital to Beirut to provide much-needed medical care.