Britain, France urge more EU aid to Syria refugees

The foreign ministers of Britain and France called for a boost in European Union aid to the tens of thousands of Syrians fleeing war and chaos as they joined talks with EU counterparts Monday. "We have to step up humanitarian assistance for the people fleeing," said Foreign Secretary William Hague. Citing Lebanon and Jordan in particular, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius too stepped into the meeting saying "We must help neighbouring countries", with "the EU doing more". While tens of thousands have fled unrest in Syria since anti-regime protests erupted in March last year, the surge in fighting in the last days has sent droves more across the borders into Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. A paper drafted by the German foreign ministry being discussed by the ministers said the situation in Syria was at "a turning point." "The need for humanitarian assistance is growing dramatically. The international community and the EU must be ready to respond now," it said.