FM calls for more efforts to solve refugee crisis in Mideast

Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) meets with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil (L) in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, on June 23, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIRUT - China advocates more actions to curb the deterioration of a refugee crisis in the Middle East and find a solution as soon as possible, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil in Beirut during an one-day visit to Lebanon.

He noted that refugees are not migrants, and the international community should strive to create appropriate conditions, through seeking a more swift solution to hot-button issues, for the refugees to return to their homes.

Bassil said Lebanon is under huge pressure in hosting refugees, mostly from Syria, adding that the world should understand and support Lebanon's legal requests on the refugee problem.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Lebanon is currently hosting 1.03 million Syrian refugees who fled their war-torn country since the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad started in March 2011.