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UN continues to back Lebanon as it faces impact of Syria conflict: envoy

Xinhua, February 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, on Thursday expressed support to the Middle East country as it faces the impact of the conflict in neighboring Syria.

Visiting the Bekaa valley in the northeastern part of Lebanon earlier Thursday, Kaag "also expressed her appreciation for Lebanon's residents in host communities for their generosity and solidarity with the refugees from Syria," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"Her talks with authorities in the Bekaa Valley covered the main political and security developments, as well as the humanitarian and socio-economic challenges in the Bekaa," Dujarric said.

"Noting the presence of more than 410,000 refugees from Syria in the area, the special coordinator also noted the importance of sustained assistance to reinforce the stability and stabilization of Lebanon, benefiting the Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities alike," said the spokesman.

During her tour, Kaag met with region's parliamentarians, the governor of the northern Bekaa and local authorities of Baalbeck. The talks covered not just political and security developments, but also the humanitarian and socio-economic challenges of the area.

"This is not about differentiation, it is about human dignity, to support the most vulnerable," Kaag said, emphasizing the need for timely and targeted assistance by all partners to ensure that needs continue to be met. "Safety, security, protection and human rights are needed to ensure the stabilization of Lebanon."

Kaag visited a Syrian refugee site in Fayda/Omarieh and listened to the concerns of refugees. She also visited a solar panel installation set up in the village of Terbol with the assistance of the Municipality of Terbol and UN Development Program (UNDP) to serve all residents of the area.

Regarding the security situation along Lebanon's eastern borders with Syria, the special coordinator praised the efforts of the Lebanese army and security forces to safeguard the country's security and stability. Endite