NNA - Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday reiterated the Lebanese government's commitment to helping the displaced Syrians, who fled violence in their war-torn country into Lebanon.



"Ever since the beginning of the events in Syria, we announced Lebanon's holding onto the dissociation policy and the refusal of any interference in the Syrian domestic affairs. But we avowed to assume our humanitarian duty vis-à-vis the displaced Syrians. However, the Lebanese state falls short of capacities to continue helping them without the intervention of concerned international organizations," Mikati told a news conference following his meet at the Grand Serail today with the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valérie Amos.



"Therefore, we will subsequently call for a meeting for the international humanitarian organizations with a view of clinching a common vision on this dossier," he added.



For her part, Amos expressed gratefulness to the Lebanese government for its efforts exerted in favor of the displaced Syrians.



The top UN humanitarian chief arrived yesterday in Beirut. She said she discussed with the Lebanese officials the challenges which the government is facing in terms of the growing number of displaced.



She said the United Nations would spare no effort in providing the required help in that respect.



In response to a question about whether Syrian refugees' camps would be set up, Amos said this matter was up to the Lebanese government to decide upon.



Ministers of Social Affairs, Education and Higher Learning, UNDP representative Robert Watkins, and the Secretary General of the Higher Relief Committee Ibrahim Bashir attended the meeting.



Separately, Mikati met today with the State Security Chief, General George Qaraa, and Head of the Lebanese Franchise Association, Charles Arbid.


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