Beirut, 15th Dec. 2008 -- The Emirates Initiative for Support and Construction of Lebanon has commenced installation of equipment at the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed hospital in Lebanon.

The hospital is being built under instructions of UAE President H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

''Construction and fitting of the hospital, located at Arqoub area, are progressed as schedule .......... specialised medical and technical teams have already started commissioning of equipment and fittings,'' said Abdullah Al Gafli, Deputy Director of the Initiative.

''The completeion of the four-storeyed 12,590 square metre health facility in span of time not more that 18 months is a remarkable achievement for the UAE humanitarian efforts as per directives of UAE President H. H.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for extending assistance and support for Lebanese people,''he added.

He indicated that all licences were obtained and feasibility studies concerning operational aspects and demographic coverage in regard to delivery of health services were conducted ''Once operational, the hospital, seen as the largest and most advanced health facility in Lebanon, will provide health and medical care services to more than 35,000 people in the area,''he said.(WAM/TF)