BRUSSELS — Donors at a European Union-led conference on Monday pledged 5.8 billion euros ($6.3 billion) to help Syria.

The pledges at the Brussels gathering were less than last year's 7.5 billion euros in grants and loans, as EU officials pointed to US aid cuts as a major contributing factor.

The annual conference has been hosted by the EU since 2017.

In a first for a top official from Damascus, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, head of Syria's foreign affairs authority, attended the conference along with dozens of European and Arab ministers and representatives of international organizations.

"This is a time of dire needs and challenges for Syria, as tragically evidenced by the recent wave of violence in coastal areas," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

But she said it was also "a time of hope", citing an agreement struck on March 10 to integrate the Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which control much of Syria's northeast, into new state institutions.

About 16.5 million people in Syria require humanitarian aid, with 12.9 million people needing food aid, according to the EU.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the meeting that the EU was increasing its pledge to Syrians in the country and the region to almost 2.5 billion euros for 2025 and 2026. This includes an increase of about 160 million euros to its previous pledge for this year.

Earlier on Monday, European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said US cuts to humanitarian and development aid had limited the money available for Syria.

Syria's Shibani expressed his appreciation for the pledge by the EU and its partners.

"The reconstruction of Syria is a joint effort and a global partnership that we hope with our friends would contribute to a breakthrough to the Syrian people for further prosperity and progress," he said in a post on X.

In another development, Syria and Lebanon reached an agreement to implement a cease-fire along their shared border and enhance military coordination on Monday, Syria's defense authorities announced.

The agreement, reached between the defense authorities of both countries, aims to de-escalate tensions and prevent further hostilities in the border region.

The announcement follows a recent escalation between Syria and Hezbollah after Damascus accused the group of kidnapping and executing three Syrian soldiers near the border, an allegation Hezbollah has denied. Syria also blamed Hezbollah for a targeted attack on journalists and for shelling a water station in western Homs, further fueling tensions.

Agencies - Xinhua