The Singapore government has pledged 50,000 U.S. dollars to the Flash Appeal for the Humanitarian needs of Lebanon launched by the United Nations (UN), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Thursday.

"This contribution goes towards international efforts to provide for the emergency food, shelter, healthcare and protection needs of civilians affected by the ongoing situation in Lebanon," the statement said.

On the same day, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote to his Lebanese counterpart Fuad Siniora to express Singapore's grave concern about the situation in Lebanon.

Calling Lebanon a friend of Singapore, Lee said that Singapore condemns the terrorist activities that set off this new cycle of violence and is saddened by the civilian casualties caused by subsequent events.

"Singapore urges all sides to exercise restraint and avoid the excessive use of force. We support the call by the UN Secretary General for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the deployment of an international force to help stabilize the situation in Lebanon. We also support on-going international efforts to seek a diplomatic solution," Lee said.

Source: Xinhua