Lebanon calls on int'l community to meet Syrian refugees pledges

BEIRUT (Xinhua) - Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati reiterated on Saturday his call for the international community to provide Lebanon with the promised assistance to confront the influx of Syrian refugees.

Despite the promises and pledges made at the Kuwait donor meeting in January to provide Arab and international aid, "the Lebanese government has so far received limited support at a time when the number of the displaced is rising," Miqati said, according to a statement released by his media office.

He said the government is incapable of meeting the demands of the refugees, urging the international community to prioritize the issue at a proposed international peace conference on Syria.

"This issue is a top priority for the Lebanese government given its political, social, medical and security repercussions on Lebanon," said Miqati.

UN figures show that there are now nearly 453,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon.