Donor nations wrapped up a two-day meeting Thursday that Iraqi leaders hope will free up much-needed reconstruction funds that were pledged a year ago but have been held up by the country's continuing instability. The meeting, bringing together 57 nations and international organizations, is a follow-up to a conference a year ago in Madrid, where the international community, led by the United States, vowed to contribute $13.6 billion in grants and loans. Only about $1.3 billion has actually been given so far.
| I'm sure the French have ponied up as usual. |
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