G8 Pledges Support For 'Arab Spring' Transition

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe

Foreign ministers of the Group of Eight major industrialized nations have pledged to quickly supply economic and political aid to Arab-led governments as they move toward democratic reforms.

In a statement issued after a meeting September 20 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the G8 ministers called the "Arab Spring" a "source of great hope" that "originated from the aspirations of the peoples of the region for greater freedom, justice, and human dignity."

It added that the changes in the region are "both a political and economic challenge that demands immediate and concerted action."

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said that, so far, some $80 billion in aid has been pledged for Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Jordan, and Morocco over the next two years.

At a meeting in May, the G8 launched a partnership with Tunisia and Egypt and has since expanded the partnership to include Morocco, Jordan, and Libya.

The partnership also includes Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as Turkey and the International Monetary Fund.

The G8 nations include Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, and Russia.

compiled from agency reports