Lebanon Asks for $370 Million Aid for Syrian Refugees at Donor Conference

President Michel Suleiman urged donors on Wednesday to provide Lebanon with $370 million assistance for refugees from Syria and called for countries to take in some of the displaced after ringing the alarm bell.

The government has approved a $370 million comprehensive plan for the refugees - $180 for Lebanese state institutions and $190 for international agencies, he told the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria held in Kuwait.

While stressing that “Lebanon insists on preserving its embracing role,” he rang the alarm bell, saying the influx “has repercussions on the social and economic situation” in the country.

He expressed hope that the government’s $370 million plan would be approved during the conference and that several countries would open their doors for refugees currently in Lebanon.

Despite expectations of a higher influx in the coming months, the “government insists on keeping the border open,” Suleiman said.

The Lebanese delegation included deputy PM Samir Moqbel, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour and Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour.

The one-day conference, which was attended by U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, was opened by Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah who pledged $300 million in assistance for the Syrian people.

Suleiman later met with the Kuwaiti Emir, U.N. secretary general, and a number of other officials.

Several Gulf countries also made pledges worth millions of dollars after the U.N. called for a massive humanitarian effort to provide basic needs for four million Syrians inside the country and more than 650,000 refugees in neighboring countries, including Lebanon.

In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3), Mansour said that the refugee influx from Syria would cause a heavy burden on Lebanon.

He reiterated his rejection of setting up camps for the refugees, saying “their presence is temporary.”

The number of refugees in Lebanon has crossed 200,000.

Suleiman held talks with the Kuwaiti emir ahead of the conference.