Lebanon, EU officials discuss refugee assistance

 Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam and a European Union (EU) commissioner met here Friday to discuss ways to help Beirut deal with the influx of Syrian refugees.

The meeting came shortly before an international donor conference on Syria, scheduled for Feb. 4 in London.

"The conference should look into the urgent humanitarian needs and cooperation with Lebanon," Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) quoted European Union Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn as saying.

NNA said Lebanese prime minister and Hahn discussed ways to spend Lebanon's share of aid it is set to receive at the upcoming donor conference in London.

Salam was invited in December to attend the London conference.

Hahn praised Lebanon's efforts in helping Syrian refugees in the country.

"Lebanon is doing an incredible job," Hahn said.

According to the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees, Lebanon hosts about 1.1 million refugees, which has placed enormous strain on the country's poor infrastructure, and exacerbated social tensions.

Source: XINHUA