Putin Meets Suleiman, Promises International Conference on Syrian Refugees

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered on Wednesday after meeting with President Michel Suleiman to host an international conference in Moscow on the refugee crisis in Syria sparked by the conflict between rebels and the regime.

"If the interested nations agree to this, we will be ready to propose Moscow as the venue," news agencies quoted Putin saying.

The Russian leader also promised Lebanon financial assistance to help deal with the Syrian refugees on its territory.

The United Nations warned Wednesday that more than 650,000 people have already fled the 22-month conflict to neighboring countries such as Lebanon and Turkey.

Putin told Suleiman that "Russia is ready to help Lebanon solve humanitarian issues”.

"We will ask our specialists to determine the size of this assistance," said Putin.

"It could be made along several different channels -- through direct financing... and assistance associated with refugee support."

Putin did not specify when exactly the refugee conference in Moscow might be held.

Russia provides military assistance to Syrian President Bashar Assad's government and has accused Western powers of inciting more violence by backing opposition attempts to topple the Damascus regime.