Britain to host Syria donors conference in 2016

Britain is to host the Syria donors conference here in early February next year, Downing Street said Monday.

The conference, announced in a joint statement by leaders of Britain, Germany, Norway, Kuwait and the United Nations, aims to raise new funding to meet the needs of those affected by the Syrian crisis.

"The international community has a responsibility to help the 13.5 million vulnerable and displaced people inside Syria, and the 4.2 million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries and we must step up our efforts," the joint statement said.

Leaders from countries around the world, NGOs and civil society will be invited to attend the conference.

The conference seeks to "raise significant new funding to meet the needs of all those affected by the Syria crisis within the country itself and by supporting neighbouring countries," the statement said.

It is also intended to identify long-term funding solutions, and address the longer-term needs of those affected by the crisis.

"We continue to believe that a political solution is necessary to bring the Syrian conflict to an end and we commit to working with each other and international partners to achieve that and to support the development of an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Syria," the statement added.