Kerry: $51 million of additional funds granted to Lebanon to aid refugees

Lebanon News
04-06-2014 | 08:27
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Kerry: $51 million of additional funds granted to Lebanon to aid refugees
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Kerry: $51 million of additional funds granted to Lebanon to aid refugees
US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday, where he met with Prime Minister Tammam Salam and discussed with him a number of prominent as well as the issue of Syrian refugees. 

Following the meeting, Kerry announced an additional $290 million in aid for UN agencies and non-governmental organizations working with the nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.

He also mentioned that $51 million of additional funds, the largest chunk of the aid, will be given to Lebanon, which is currently hosting the highest concentration of refugees as a percentage of population in the world.

Kerry expressed his concern over Lebanon's sovereignty and stability, vowing to support authorities in maintaining security.

"It is an important period now to show support for the Lebanese government," Kerry said.

He also pointed out that Lebanese deputies should elect a president at the soonest time possible, emphasizing that vacuum was created at a time when the country is grappling with a flood of Syrian refugees and declining economic growth. 

On another note, Kerry described Tuesday's presidential elections in neighboring Syria, widely expected to deliver a sweeping victory to President Bashar al-Assad, as "a great big zero".  

"They are meaningless because you can't have an election where millions of your people don't even have the ability to vote, where they don't have the ability to contest the election, and they have no choice," he said.         

Syria's civil war has added to disputes within Lebanon, especially over Hezbollah's support for Assad, a fellow ally of Iran. Some Lebanese Sunnis have meanwhile joined Syria's rebels.  

During his visit to Lebanon, Kerry also met with House Speaker Nabih Berri, and discussed with him the latest local developments.
 

LBCI/REUTERS

 

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