Germany: Lebanon paying price of Syria war

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle warned on Sunday that Lebanon was paying the price of the war in Syria and reiterated his country’s support for the Lebanese people. In remarks to the Kuwaiti al-Rai daily, Westerwelle said: “We are watching the developments in Lebanon with concern and preserving our intense contacts with our Lebanese partners.” “I visited Lebanon last June as a sign of solidarity with the Lebanese people that are suffering from the repercussions of the ugly civil war in Syria,” he said. “We are helping Lebanon whenever it needs (any help) such as through programs to support the refugees from Syria,” Westerwelle added. At least 1.2 million people have been displaced by the Syrian conflict which erupted 17 months ago, according to the United Nations. Almost 229,000 refugees have been officially registered in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. Westerwelle also told al-Rai that the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad is nearing its end and will not be able to regain areas that were captured by the rebel Free Syrian Army. “He is dragging the entire country with him to civil war in a horrendous way,” he said.