Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported Lebanese President Michel Sulayman's proposal on convening an international conference to address the problem of Syrian refugees and proposed himself that Moscow could host such a conference.
Putin made this statement at a meeting with Sulayman on Wednesday.
"Russia is ready to provide Lebanon with humanitarian relief. We will task experts with sizing up the amount of aid needed. It may come in three ways – as financial aid, as a cargo of makeshift houses and tents and as medications to make certain that refugees have adequate living conditions,” Mr. Putin said.
He said the needs of refugees would be determined by a panel of Russian and Lebanese experts.
Putin also supported Lebanon's decision not to interfere in Syria's internal affairs. "It would be good if other countries made such a decision as well," he noted.
Putin also pointed out that, "despite a difficult situation in Lebanon, relations between our countries are developing."
The Russian president praised the fact that 10,000 students from Lebanon are studying in Russia. "We are willing to continue this program and accommodate 100 students every year," he said.
Vladimir Putin has promised various forms of help to Lebanon in supporting Syrian refugees living in that country.
"We must ask specialists to evaluate how much aid is needed. It may proceed through several channels - financial support, help with provisional accommodation, tents and medicine to ensure adequate living standards for the refugees," Putin said during a meeting in Moscow on Wednesday with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman.
Suleiman said there are 200,000 refugees in Lebanon and that the Lebanese government will need to spend between $250-$300 million on their needs in 2015 alone.
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