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German FM visits Christian refugees in Iraq, pledges more aid

Saturday, August 16, 2014 - 01:30

German Foreign Minister Steinmeier visits a shelter for Christian refugees in Arbil, and discusses the situation in north with the president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani. Gavino Garay reports.

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It's a harsh reality for these Christians who take shelter in a church, from fear of death by Islamic State fighters in northern Iraq. They fled the militant fighters who targeted their homes in Mosul. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited their temporary shelter in the city of Arbil, and met one-on-one with some of the refugees. He also spoke with church leaders and confirmed extra humanitarian aid money pledged by Germany. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: "Spending already four and half million Euros for humanitarian aid and the German cabinet has decided on Wednesday this week that we spending another 20 million Euros for humanitarian aid. " The foreign minister also visited Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: "The president just told me that the state of the equipment of the Peshmergas is not appropriate in order to defend themselves appropriately. Hence, we will continue our talks over lunch on what kind of support can be expected from the the international community." Steinmeier added that the nomination of an Iraqi prime minister-designate was a step in the right direction to forming a more inclusive government in Iraq. But for now -- many Yazidi families have no place to call home.

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German FM visits Christian refugees in Iraq, pledges more aid

Saturday, August 16, 2014 - 01:30