Lebanese president expresses worries on Syrian refugee burden

BEIRUT, March 20 (Xinhua) -- President Michel Aoun said on Wednesday that he is "very much worried" about Lebanon due to the big burden of Syrian refugees on the country's economy, Lebanon's presidency website reported.

"Lebanon cannot take anymore the negative economic and social repercussions of the presence of a big number of Syrian refugees in the country," the president said during his meeting with United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen.

Aoun emphasized the need to find serious solutions to help Syrian refugees return to the safe areas in their country.

"A lot of areas have become safe and are capable of hosting its Syrian citizens," he said.

Aoun said that a lot of countries have participated in the civil war in Syria and they want Lebanon to tolerate the negative repercussions of these clashes.

Aoun also reiterated his call for donor countries and the international community to provide help and support to Syrians who are willing to return home.

Meanwhile, Pedersen told Aoun that one of his responsibilities is to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

"We have conducted negotiations with Syrian authorities in Damascus and the Syrian opposition in Riyadh for this purpose," he said.

Pedersen also assured Aoun that the United Nations will continue supporting Lebanon at all levels facing the current challenges in the country.