BEIRUT: Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil discussed the Syrian refugee crisis and Lebanon’s security situation Monday with his counterpart from Luxembourg.
“We are counting on your support in mobilizing the international community to stand by” Lebanon as it confronts terrorism, Bassil said in a joint news conference with visiting minister Jean Asselborn after the meeting.
Bassil added that it was unfortunate that his visit coincides with the killing of captive Lebanese policeman Ali Bazzal, who was shot dead by the Nusra Front Friday.
With regards to the refugee crisis, Bassil called on the international community to share the burden by increasing humanitarian aid for the more than one million Syrians inside Lebanon.
Asselborn acknowledged the efforts undertaken by Lebanese host communities to accommodate the massive influx of refugees fleeing Syria's war.
“The international community should not just thank you but should help you as well,” Asselborn said.
Asselborn also noted that Luxembourg’s peacekeepers stationed across Lebanon’s southern border will have to leave their posts after the Belgian delegation, into which they were integrated, left last month.
But he expressed his country’s readiness to train Lebanese soldiers in mine sweeping and detection.
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