Lebanon's Prime Minister Hariri: 'Cyprus to help Lebanese economy'

Cyprus can help drum up support from other European Union member states to boost the Lebanese economy that has come under heavy strain due to the region's instability, Beirut's prime minister has said. 

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri held with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Saturday, saying that Beirut desperately needs international support to prop up its ailing economy and help with job growth.

Hariri said the Lebanese economy has been strained from hosting around 1.5 million Syrian refugees and Cyprus can "play an important role" in rallying assistance for Beirut.

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 are due to sign an intelligence-sharing agreement.

The Syrian conflict began when the Baath regime - in power since 1963 and led by Assad - responded with military force to crush peaceful protests demanding democratic reforms.

It triggered a wider armed rebellion fuelled by mass defections from the Syrian army.