US pledges $76 million for Lebanon to aid the Syrian refugees

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met on Wednesday the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon.

On the sidelines of the international donor conference intended to help the United Nations reach a $6.5 billion aid target, PM Mikati also met US Secretary of State John Kerry who announced that the US pledged $76 million for Lebanon to aid the Syrian refugees, adding that his country will keep on supporting Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers.

On another note, Kerry praised the efforts put forth by Mikati to form a new cabinet.

Earlier, Mikati told reports at the Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait that strong efforts exerted to form the cabinet were the result of international developments, pointing out that Lebanese officials would have crossed a major stage to hold the upcoming presidential elections on time if the new cabinet were formed soon.         

On another note, Mikati said that Lebanon has become deeply involved in the regional turmoil and mainly the Syrian conflict, stressing that the dissociation policy is the best option to protect the Lebanese nation.