Lebanese
Prime Minister Tamam Salam and his visiting British counterpart David Cameron
discussed today the conditions of the 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Prime
minister Salam stated that huge influx of Syrian refugees to Europe underscores
that the solution to the Syrian crisis should be political. He thanked Britain
for supporting the Lebanese army and other security forces in their fight
against terrorism.
Cameron
gave a statement on how the UK will provide help and support on extremism and
Syrian refugees.
He
said,'' I am delighted to be here on my first visit to Lebanon. I wanted to
come here today to see for myself the enormous challenges facing Lebanon as it
shoulders the burden of refugees fleeing Syria and to understand what more we
can do to help you.'' ''The United Kingdom wants to see a strong, secure and
prosperous Lebanon. We discussed the need to elect a new President and I share
your view, Prime Minister, that Lebanon needs a President in order to move
forward. A President who can lead and represent the country internationally,
who can act as a partner to those like the UK who want to help Lebanon and who
can work with you and other political leaders to advance political consensus
and overcome the challenging circumstances facing your country.
''We
also discussed the threat both our countries face from Islamist extremism and
what more we can do to work together to defeat this threat. Of course, that
threat is more acute here with Daesh held territory just 60 miles from your
border and that is why the UK is determined to do all we can to help strengthen
the security of Lebanon. We have already provided training to over 5,000
Lebanese soldiers and helped to build a series of watchtowers on your borders
with Syria. And today I can announce that we will continue that commitment to
Lebanon, providing the right support where it is needed to train, equip and
mentor the Lebanese armed forces.'' Turning to refugees, Prime minister Cameron
paid tribute to the immense generosity and resilience of the Lebanese people
who have provided refuge for their Syrian neighbours for 4 years and more.
''This morning I was in the Bekaa Valley seeing for myself that hospitality and
meeting with some of the Syrian refugees that we will resettle in the United
Kingdom. I recognise that the humanitarian crisis in Syria is putting huge
pressures on your country – on public services, on schools, on housing.'' He
said that the United Kingdom has provided around ?300 million in assistance for
Lebanon since the crisis began, including food, shelter and medical support.
''And we will ensure that ?29 million of our latest ?100m commitment is spent
right here in Lebanon, helping further to shoulder the burden. In particular,
we will do all we can to ensure that both Lebanese and Syrian children get the
education they deserve. That is vital for their future and for the future of this
region. The way the Lebanese people have integrated Syrian children into their
school system is truly remarkable and deserves the full and unwavering support
of the international community.'' ''That’s why we have already invested over
?30 million here in education and today I can announce that we will be doubling
our current commitment to ?20 million a year for the next 3 years to help
Syrian children in public schools. We will go on providing a full set of
textbooks for every child in public school between the age of 6 and 15. And we
will continue to use UK aid to support Lebanese communities – helping to
protect jobs, build roads and improve water supply,'' he added. –End-
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