BEIRUT (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel has visited a public school in Lebanon's capital Beirut, where many of the students are Syrian refugees.
There are over a million Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, representing nearly a quarter of the population. This makes Lebanon the largest host country in the region, putting a huge strain on the economy. In 2017, Germany gave Lebanon 370 million euros to help with the refugees.
Merkel met Friday with students in a mixed public school where Lebanese and Syrian students learn together. Merkel told one student in English: "We try to help you get an education." The chancellor passed out jerseys from Germanys national soccer team, currently competing for the World Cup, and tossed a ball with the students.
Merkel came to Lebanon from Jordan.