$1 billion raised for Lebanon at Paris conference – but ceasefire remains elusive

Flame and smoke rises from buildings hit by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut - (AP)

Around $1 billion (£772 million) has been raised at a conference in Paris to ease the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and support its army, with France's foreign minister urging Israel to heed the message to cease fire and focus on diplomacy.

Some 70 government delegations and 15 international organisations met in Paris to help Lebanon, but a low-level US presence and its looming election dimmed prospects for a swift halt to fighting.