Hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled across the border into Lebanon The US State Department has praised Lebanon’s government for supporting Syrian refugees, many of whom have the crossed the border into Lebanon to escape a bloody conflict which began two years ago.
Tens of thousands of Syrians have lost their lives in the escalating conflict between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and rebel groups opposed to his rule, mainly led by the Free Syrian Army. The bloody internal battle shows no signs of abating as both sides continue to fight for power, forcing hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee across the border into Lebanese humanitarian camps.
Two high-ranking officials from the department said the US was still committed to helping displaced Syrians and would continue to aid Lebanon in hosting them. They pointed out that the US has already pledged $385m to support Syrian refugees, with $51 being allocated to refugees in camps across Lebanon and $115 in support of the Syrian opposition.
In a statement issued by the US embassy in Beirut, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Affairs, Amos Hokstayen and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs, Laurence Silverman said they also welcomed the news of Lebanon’s upcoming elections which they hope will based on “democratic principles.”
The news comes after the pair visited a number of Lebanese officials, including President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in Beirut this week, to discuss the political and economic situation in the country, as well as the conflict in Syria.