The United Nations says that 5.6 million Syrian refugees live in five neighboring countries - Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq - and it is not yet safe for them to return. Divisions among Arab states over Syria, and internal disputes in Lebanon, have overshadowed the summit even before it began, with several leaders staying away. Lebanese President Michel Aoun, a political ally of Hezbollah, had called earlier at the summit for safe refugee returns “without tying that to reaching a political solution”. He also proposed the creation of an Arab bank for reconstruction and development “to help all affected Arab states overcome adversity and contribute to their sustainable economic growth”. Several hundred people protested in the streets of Beirut on Sunday, blaming politicians for growing economic troubles.

Source: bd News24 January 20, 2019 16:07 UTC