The Lebanese government on Friday provided the Justice Ministry with a loan to finance preparations to sue Israel for the damage and looses it inflicted on Lebanon during its 34-day war with Hezbollah, local Naharnet news website reported.

Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Aridi revealed the funding after a cabinet session, but declined to disclose details about Lebanon's case against Israel.

Aridi was quoted as saying that the funding to the justice ministry's consultations was provided by some Lebanese banks, which he did not identify.

Lebanon has estimated its losses during the 34-day Israeli- Hezbollah war at 6.3 billion dollars, which includes the devastation and damaging of public and private property, mainly the nation's infrastructure as well as losses sustained by both public and private sectors as a result of the fighting, according to media reports.

Israel launched a massive military offensive against Lebanese Hezbollah on July 12, 2006 after the latter seized two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others in a cross-border raid.

The 34-day war, ended on Aug. 14 under a UN-brokered ceasefire, wrecked Lebanon's infrastructure and exhausted the nation's economy.

Source: Xinhua