Italy grants additional $15m aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Visiting Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta announced Saturday that his country will allocate an additional 15 million U.S. dollars for the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Letta told reporters following meeting with his counterpart caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati "we shall never leave you alone in grappling with the refugee ordeal." As for supporting the Lebanese armed forces, the Italian Prime Minister revealed "Rome will host a conference to coordinate international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces in the beginning of the coming year." Letta added that his country is also prepared to train the LAF. He lauded the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon and said "Italian peace-keeping in South Lebanon is a source of pride foe us all and, we intend to beef up economic assistance earmarked for Lebanon." Miqati thanked the Italian prime minister for his visit to Lebanon and for his country's "constant support for Lebanon during all stages." He said that the meeting with his Italian counterpart touched on economic and trade relations between the two countries. Letta arrived in Beirut on Friday and held talks with President Michel Suleiman Saturday morning.