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France stresses support for Lebanon to handle Syrian refugee crisis

Xinhua, April 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande stressed on Sunday his country's commitment to supporting Lebanon and the humanitarian agencies to handle the Syrian refugee crisis, the UN Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said.

Hollande made the pledge during his visit to Syrian refugees at the Dalhamieh camp in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley before he left for Egypt, the second leg of his Middle East tour that also includes Jordan.

Hollande said Lebanon had shown "solidarity" and made an"exceptional effort in hosting refugees," according to a UNHCR statement.

France and the international community would stand behind the country, he added.

He also said the future of Syrian refugees ultimately lies in returning to their own country once conditions permit.

The French leader announced 100 million euros (113 million U.S. dollars) in aid for Lebanon over the coming three years.

The overall package represents half of France's commitment pledged at the London conference on Syria in February.

Hollande also promised to increase the number of Syrian refugees that France will host from Lebanon to 3,000 by 2017 from 1,000 in 2016. Endit