Germany Stresses its Support to Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle revealed on Thursday that his country has started to receive 5,000 Syrians who were forced to flee their country over the ongoing conflict there.

He added that he supports Lebanon's efforts to assist the refugees, saying that Germany recently paid 30 million euros in aid for their cause.

He made his remarks during a telephone call with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

The German official added than additional 30 million euros will be granted to the refugees.

Germany is prepared to stand by Lebanon in its efforts to support the refugees, Westerwelle continued.

Moreover, it is ready to make contributions to the fund dedicated to the refugees that the Lebanese government is seeking to set up in collaboration with the World Bank, he stated.

For his part, Miqati had remarked earlier on Thursday that he had urged the concerned authorities to speed up measures to control the flow of refugees into Lebanon.

This entails providing centers to harbor them should the situation in Syria deteriorate over western threats to launch a military strike against the regime in light of its alleged chemical attack last week, he added.