Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Thursday that Lebanon is committed to providing shelter to Syrians fleeing the unrest in their country.

Lebanon is committed to providing shelter to Syrians fleeing the unrest in their country, Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Thursday.

"My approach to these refugees coming to Lebanon is purely humanitarian," Miqati told Agence France Presse, estimating their number at 5,000.

"We are assisting these people ... providing them with medical assistance, schooling and shelter."

Asked whether his position on providing shelter to Syrian refugees extended to members of the opposition or defecting soldiers, Miqati would say that Lebanon was committed to helping "Syrian citizens.”

He told AFP that he had no case before him of anyone arrested or sent back to Syria and insisted that Lebanon's position on the issue was purely humanitarian.

He also refused to be drawn on his government's position on developments in Syria, saying his goal was to ensure the situation did not spill over into Lebanon, where Damascus has traditionally exerted much influence.

"I cannot do anything today but protect Lebanon's national unity," the PM noted.

Miqati acknowledged, however, that the seven-month unrest threatening the regime of Bashar Assad was having economic repercussions on Lebanon.

"Exports from Lebanon to Syria are shrinking and this will affect the Lebanese economy," he said.