The Norwegian Government decided to provide additional 200 million Norwegian krones (32 million US dollars) in humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Gaza, according to reports reaching here from Oslo on Sunday.

This came after Norway offered 100 million Norwegian krones (16million US dollars) allocated last Saturday.

"The international society must rally, and quickly," said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in a statement released on Sunday.

Stoltenberg has been in contact with both Lebanon's President Fuad Siniora, and the Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. Both asked Norway for further funds to lessen the sufferings of the civilian population.

The Norwegian prime minister said that the humanitarian situation for the Lebanese people is dramatic and that it may develop into an extensive and long-lasting crisis.