OTTAWA, Aug 18: The Canadian prime minister on Wednesday set up a $25 million relief fund for Lebanon’s war victims, but ruled out contributing troops to a United Nations peacekeeping force.

As a leader on the international stage, Canada has a responsibility to help those suffering from circumstances beyond their control, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in an official statement.

The two-year fund will be used to meet requests by the Red Cross, the UN and and non-governmental organisations.