BEIRUT: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier Friday pledged $10.65 (10 million euros) in aid to Lebanon to help it cope with the Syrian refugee crisis.
"We are ready to offer Lebanon the required financial assistance to help it with the financial crisis caused by the Syrian refugees," Steinmeier said during a news conference with caretaker FM Gebran Bassil.
He said that the aid will help Lebanese schools make it easier for Syrian children in Lebanon to receive education.
More than five years after the onset of the war in Syria, Lebanon continues to endure the largest refugee crisis in its history.
UNHCR has registered some 1.1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, but the Lebanese government estimates the actual figure to be closer to 1.5 million.
This influx has exacerbated underlying conditions in a country that had already been experiencing social and economic problems prior to the neighboring conflict.
Steinmeier also praised the recent political agreement between Lebanese parties that led to the election of President Michel Aoun on Oct. 31, ending a more than 2-year vacuum, calling for the quick formation of a new Cabinet under Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
Meanwhile, Bassil stressed that Lebanon was ready to boost cooperation with Germany.
Steinmeier, who arrived in Beirut at dawn for a one-day trip, earlier in the day met with Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley town of Barr Elias.
The German minister earlier met with Aoun at the Baabda Palace, where the Lebanese president affirmed that country was more stable after the political breakthrough that led to his election.
Aoun described ties between the two countries as "excellent."
The president also urged rival groups in Syria to agree on a political solution that reduces the burden imposed on Lebanon by Syrian refugee influx due the ongoing tragedy.
Steinmeier affirmed that Germany and the international community recognize Lebanon’s efforts to aid Syrians staying in the country, and called on the global actors to respond to Lebanon's calls for a political solution to the crisis.
He later met separately with Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and caretaker PM Tammam Salam. His visit coincides with a similar trip by Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu.
"We are ready to offer Lebanon the required financial assistance to help it with the financial crisis caused by the Syrian refugees," Steinmeier said during a news conference with caretaker FM Gebran Bassil.
He said that the aid will help Lebanese schools make it easier for Syrian children in Lebanon to receive education.
More than five years after the onset of the war in Syria, Lebanon continues to endure the largest refugee crisis in its history.
UNHCR has registered some 1.1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, but the Lebanese government estimates the actual figure to be closer to 1.5 million.
This influx has exacerbated underlying conditions in a country that had already been experiencing social and economic problems prior to the neighboring conflict.
Steinmeier also praised the recent political agreement between Lebanese parties that led to the election of President Michel Aoun on Oct. 31, ending a more than 2-year vacuum, calling for the quick formation of a new Cabinet under Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
Meanwhile, Bassil stressed that Lebanon was ready to boost cooperation with Germany.
Steinmeier, who arrived in Beirut at dawn for a one-day trip, earlier in the day met with Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley town of Barr Elias.
The German minister earlier met with Aoun at the Baabda Palace, where the Lebanese president affirmed that country was more stable after the political breakthrough that led to his election.
Aoun described ties between the two countries as "excellent."
The president also urged rival groups in Syria to agree on a political solution that reduces the burden imposed on Lebanon by Syrian refugee influx due the ongoing tragedy.
Steinmeier affirmed that Germany and the international community recognize Lebanon’s efforts to aid Syrians staying in the country, and called on the global actors to respond to Lebanon's calls for a political solution to the crisis.
He later met separately with Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and caretaker PM Tammam Salam. His visit coincides with a similar trip by Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Source & Link : The Daily Star
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