BEIRUT: The Greek Catholic archbishop of Zahle, Issam Darwish, said Sunday his archdiocese had registered 550 Syrian refugee families, mostly displaced from the Homs area.

The announcement was made during a meeting between Darwish and representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Darwish said the church was offering food aid, medical services, hygiene products and fuel coupons for the refugees.

He added that the Saint Mansour Society and the Catholic Charity Organization also offered similar aid, expressing hope that a school would be opened for refugee children.

Darwish expressed hope that the fighting in Syria would cease before the next school year.

Separately, a meeting was held Saturday in the Burj al-Shemali Palestinian refugee camp to discuss how to handle the growing number of the displaced from Syria who are seeking refuge in the camp.