UK increases financial assistance to STL, Syrian refugees

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague on Thursday pledged that his country will provide additional financial contribution to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. According to a statement by UK Embassy here, Hague's announcement came following conclusion of his visit to Lebanon where he met with senior Lebanese officials, visited food aid distribution center for Syrian refugees, and launched a survey for Lebanon's onshore oil and gas. During his visit, Hague handed Lebanese President Michel Suleiman a letter from UK Prime Minister David Cameron setting out the UK's enhanced offer of support for Lebanon's stability through working closely with the Lebanese armed forces, with over 2,000 troops is to be trained by the UK in the coming year, indicated the statement. He reiterated the UK's support of Lebanon by announcing contribution of a further over USD 1.5 million to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which makes the UK's total contribution more than USD 6.5 million. Also, Hague noted allocation of more than USD 17 million for humanitarian relief in Lebanon, taking the UK's overall support to the response in Lebanon to over USD 30 million. Moreover, he reaffirmed his country's support of Lebanon's stability against the uncertain regional backdrop, pointing out that during these difficult times; it is important that Lebanon remains united in its diversity, said the statement. Hague arrived to Lebanon on Wednesday night in his first visit since taking post in 2010, where he met with President Suleiman, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Fouad Siniora, head of the Future parliamentary bloc and former Prime Minister, Army Commander General Jean Kahwaji, and number of senior Lebanese Armed Forces officers.