By JAMAL HALABY Associated Press
AMMAN, Jordan June 4, 2012 (AP)

A Washington-based NGO called on the world Monday to assist Syrian refugees, saying they are stretching the meager resources of Jordan and Lebanon and pose risks to their political stability.

Since the outset of the Syrian uprising in March 2011, Jordan has taken in more than 110,000 refugees, while Lebanon hosts 26,000, according to official figures. Many Jordanian households are hosting the refugees in their homes, giving them free food and shelter.

Both countries have hosted waves of Iraqi refugees from the last ten years, and Palestinians from the last 60.

Refugees International warned in a written statement that the Syrian refugee crisis "may threaten the political stability of both Lebanon and Jordan, and the international community must scale-up humanitarian and development aid to keep both countries on a firm footing."

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