During his meetings in New York on Monday, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the international community to support Lebanon in addressing the Syrian refugee crisis.
During a meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, in the presence of Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib, and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ethan Goldrich, Mikati requested “international support for Lebanon to tackle the Syrian refugee crisis, which has grown to pose a threat to Lebanon and its social fabric.”
In addition, Mikati underlined that “the government has completed the reform projects required by the International Monetary Fund, and the matter is now in the hands of Parliament to decide what is appropriate.”
In turn, Nuland called on Lebanese parties to expedite the election of a new President of the Republic, and emphasized that “Washington supports any Lebanese-Lebanese dialogue in this regard.”
She also urged Lebanon to enhance cooperation with international organizations, especially the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to address the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis in all its aspects.
Furthermore, Nuland highlighted “Washington’s support for the Lebanese Army” and considered it crucial for Lebanon to complete the necessary economic and financial reforms.
This meeting is part of Mikati’s ongoing visit to New York, set to represent Lebanon in the seventy-eighth annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.
