An international donors' conference opens in Paris on Thursday to raise billions of dollars to help rebuild Lebanon and shore up the western-backed government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

Hosted by French President Jacques Chirac, the one-day meeting will bring together representatives from 37 countries including US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a strong show of support for the embattled prime minister.

"We are turning to the international community for help to allow us to overcome the consequences of what Lebanon is enduring over these 30 years of war and invasions," Siniora said on the eve of the conference.

The Lebanese prime minister arrived in Paris a day after street clashes between opposition and government supporters left three people dead and more than 100 wounded in Lebanon.

Lebanon is still reeling from the devastation of the July-August war between Israel and Hezbollah, with its public debt reaching 41 billion dollars (32 billion euros), more than 180 percent of gross domestic product.

The opposition, which wants the creation of a national unity government in which it has a veto, called off the protests but warned of further action if the government ignores its demands.Siniora had lunch Wednesday with Chirac who announced a 500-million-euro loan as part of the aid package. The European Commission for its part pledged 400 million euros.

The United States is expected to make the biggest contribution and is rejecting suggestions that the international aid is a "blank cheque" to Siniora, who took office last year after Syria withdrew its troops from the country.

Rice said Wednesday that the US would pledge 770 million dollars in new aid to Lebanon.

"The reform proposals made by this government of Lebanon are very important and far reaching," US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affiars David Welch told reporters on Wednesday.

"These are serious economic proposals. We are not dealing with political hand-outs here," he said.

Chirac also has said that the aid package should benefit "all Lebanese, whatever their origin".The conference will focus on three themes, how to kickstart the economy, improve living conditions for the Lebanese people and rein in the country's debt, over five years, from 180 to 144 percent of gross domestic product.

But it will also provide a chance for Siniora's Western backers, France and the United States in particular, to send a message of warning to Iran and Syria against interfering in Lebanese affairs.

Lebanon has been in a state of political deadlock since six pro-Syrian ministers, including two from Hezbollah, walked out of Siniora's government last November.

This week Siniora faced the most serious challenge yet from the Iran- and Syrian-backed opposition, as a one-day opposition strike turned violent.

But the prime minister has rejected opposition calls for early elections and renewed calls for dialogue.

"Our problems can only be resolved through dialogue, not confrontation," he told a Paris news conference.

Syria occupied Lebanon for 30 years until being forced to withdraw its troops amid huge demonstrations sparked by the assassination of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri -- an outspoken opponent of Damascus.Washington has accused Syria of fueling the anti-Siniora movement to wreck plans for the creation of an international tribunal to try suspects in Hariri's murder.

On Tuesday, the United States said it was "deeply concerned" about Syrian-backed factions trying to impose their will in Lebanon.

Provided by AFP.