Hariri: Cyprus Can Help Us Cope with Refugee strain

Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said that Cyprus can help Lebanon drum up support from other European Union member states for its economy that's coming under heavy strain from hosting around 1.5 million Syrian refugees.

Hariri said after overnight talks in Nicosia with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades that Lebanon needs international support to prop up the economy and help with job growth.

He said Cyprus can "play an important role" in rallying assistance for Lebanon.

Anastasiades announced Cyprus will deliver a new military assistance package to the Lebanese armed forces.

The package includes light arms and ammunition. Next week, the two countries will also sign an intelligence-sharing agreement.

The war in Syria has left at least 400,000 people dead and driven more than 11 million people from their homes.