MARONITE PATRIARCH Nasrallah Sfeir is concerned that the slow pace of reconstruction in southern Lebanon might provoke many of the country's 1.5 million Christians to emigrate. Despite the international community pledging £490m towards reconstruction, Beirut's L'Orient-Le Jour newspaper last week published a survey that showed more than half of the Christians questioned believed their future did not lie in Lebanon.

Last week, after the devastation caused by Israel's air and sea bombardment during its 34-day conflict with Hezbollah, Lebanon's Maronite bishops issued an urgent appeal for international help in rebuilding the country, saying grave uncertainties about the future were hastening the exodus of Christians.

The bishops called for help in re-opening schools for the new academic year, and delivering medicines and other supplies before winter. Mgr Guy-Paul Noujaim, the Maronite patriarchal vicar for the diocese of Sarba, said: "These days a great number of Christians are joining the exodus. They feel abandoned."

While the Lebanese Government's aid distribution has experienced hold-ups, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement has been handing out cash in the south. Senior Christian figures in the country, however, have warned against a mood of triumphalism by the Islamic movement.

Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces political movement, which forms part of the government coalition, said: "Israel lost but it does not mean Hezbollah won."

The conflict had driven a wedge between Hezbollah and the Christian community. "I don't believe that Hezbollah have emerged from this with political advantages," said Mr Geagea, adding for a pluralistic, modern state to be established, Hezbollah must disarm and become a conventional political party.

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