Refugee offer 'generous', says Bishop

Australia's offer to take in 12,000 refugees from the Syrian crisis has been welcomed by UN officials, says Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop.

(AAP) Source: UNITED NATIONS

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has all but ruled out Australia taking in more refugees from the Syria crisis.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon used his speech at the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday to call on all nations to do more to help millions of people displaced by the conflict.

Ms Bishop told reporters Australia's pledge to take in 12,000 on top of the existing refugee and humanitarian intake had been widely welcomed by UN officials she had met in New York.

Asked whether Australia could do more, she said: "That is an exceedingly generous offer because it's permanently settled."

She said Australia had also provided extra funds for UN agencies which will help around 240,000 people in camps, taking its contribution since 2011 to over $230 million.

US President Barack Obama used his speech to pledge to take in more refugees.

"Think of the families leaving everything they've known behind, risking barren deserts and stormy waters just to find shelter, just to save their children," he said.

"One Syrian refugee who was greeted in Hamburg with warm greetings and shelter, said, 'We feel there are still some people who love other people."


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Source: AAP



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