REPORT: UN’s Ban tours refugee camps in north, east Lebanon -...

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United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon met Friday with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rai at the Beirut archbishopric where they discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region as well as the role of the international community in addressing the alarming crises of the region.

The conferees also tackled the presidential file and the issue of the refugees, which poses a heavy burden on Lebanon’s economy and security.

They also stressed the need to stamp out terrorism and enhance dialogue among different religions.

Earlier today, Ban visited Nahr al-Bared refugee camp, north of Lebanon, after two UN helicopters and two Lebanese army helicopters landed in Qoleiat airbase, where a convoy transferred them to the camp.

Tight security measures were implemented by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Interior Security Forces, who set up checkpoints along the road.

During his visit, Ban urged the international community to provide necessary funding to help finish the rebuilding of the Palestinian refugee camp destroyed in fierce battles against al-Qaida-inspired militants almost a decade ago.

The Lebanese military fought a three-month battle in 2007 against the al-Qaida-inspired Fatah Islam group inside the camp. The Lebanese army crushed the group, but the clashes also killed more than 170 soldiers and caused massive destruction, displacing the camp's residents.

Almost a decade later, the reconstruction work is still not finished and many residents are still waiting to return.

"Almost half the construction has been made but there are still so many people waiting to be returned," Ban said. "I'm urging the international community to provide remaining funding of at least 200 million dollars so that these people can return."

Ban inspected the Aamaq school at the camp, where he was received by Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon Ashraf Dabbour and Social Affairs Minister, Rashid Derbas. A UN official explained on a map the ongoing reconstruction as hundreds of Palestinians gathered, chanting in support of the UN efforts.

He also visited Hay al-Tanak in al-Mina and went to al-Dalhamiyeh Syrian refugee encampment in the Bekaa, where he confirmed that “the United Nations is ready to help Syrian and Palestinian refugees," adding that civil peace is the only option to resolve the Syrian crisis.

Ban Ki-Moon is on a two-day visit to Lebanon along with the World Bank Group president and chief of the Islamic Development Bank.

On the first day of the trip, the UN chief met with House Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Defense Minister Samir Moqbel.

He also visited the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon headquarters in Naqoura where he inspected troops.

For more details watch full report in the video above