NNA - Outgoing Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Wednesday ratcheted up the pressure on the international community to help Lebanon handle the swelling number of Syrian refugees currently seeking shelter on Lebanese territories.



"The international community ought to handle its responsibilities assisting Lebanon which has become the first hosting country for Syrian refugees -- among surrounding nations," Mikati said.



But the Premiere did not fail to reveal utmost compassion and solidarity with the Syrian refugees who endure the hardship of forcefully leaving their country, despite the growing pressure on Lebanon, especially on its economy.



Mikati's words came today during a meeting at the Grand Serail with a number of ambassadors and representatives of donor countries and international organizations, who met to discuss the ramifications of the Syrian crisis on the Lebanese economy and society.



"Lebanon suffers an unprecedented exodus crisis that ought to be swiftly and actively tackled --not to pose an additional cause for disputes that might put Lebanon's coherence at risk," warned Mikati.



He also made clear that the Lebanese government has sought the support of the World Bank, along with development partners and agencies, to help mitigate the pressure that's weighing down the Lebanese economy by means of expanding the flow of international community support "facing this critical and crucial crisis."



"The World Bank, with the help of its main partners, has assessed in a report the cost incurred by this crisis on Lebanon," Mikati said, adding that this report will be presented during New York's conference in support of Lebanon on the 25th of September, 2013.


=======================R.H.