(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Migrants and refugees arrive on a dinghy after crossing from Turkey to Lesbos Island Greece. AP
SYDNEY: Australia will accept 12000 refugees from Syria on top of its current humanitarian intake quota and extend air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq into Syria Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Wednesday.
Abbott on Sunday said Australia would allocate more spaces in its 13750 annual quota to those fleeing violence in Syria but did not plan to boost the overall arrivals sparking criticism from across the political spectrum.
The one-off move to offer refuge to those fleeing the four-year-old civil war in Syria would prioritise members of persecuted minorities in that country Abbott said.
"Australia remains committed to the international effort to counter Daesh which threatens stability in Iraq and the Middle East and the security of Australians at home and in our region" he told reporters in Canberra using an Arabic name for Islamic State.
Reuters