The Union of Arab Banks (UAB) is to hold its annual conference in Beirut in November to help rebuilding efforts in Lebanon.

UAB president Joseph Tarabay said the union would hold a board meeting on November 1 before a two-day annual conference in the Lebanese capital.

'The objective of this conference is to shed light on Lebanon again and discuss the issue of reconstruction following the destructive war,' said a statement from the organisation.

'This issue is an Arab and international priority,' it said.

The UAB, along with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia have started 'to prepare studies about the reconstruction of Lebanon,' it said.

The studies were also meant to help 'meet challenges and confront the consequences of this (Israeli) operation on the political and economic future of the region,' it said.