Sharm al-Sheikh  - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Monday that Gaza donors pledged 4.481 billion dollars in a conference to rebuild the battered Gaza Strip.

"The donations have exceeded our expectations," said Abul Gheit.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had requested 2.8 billion dollars to help the Gaza construction after a 22-day Israeli military offensive in December and January left thousands of homes and government buildings destroyed or damaged. (dpa)