REUTERS — Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam told the international community that his country is lacking capacity and funding to further take care of the 1.5 million Syrian refugees it has sheltered on Monday (September 19).

Speaking at a sideline event of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the global refugee and migrant crisis, Salam said: "My country is in serious danger. What the Lebanese have done by harboring one million and a half Syrians for a population of four million is unprecedented. What the Lebanese have done by spending close to 15 billion dollars they do not have in three years to service the displaced Syrian population is unprecedented. "

He went on to demand action from the international community to return the refugees. "Draft within three months a detailed logistical mapping of the return in safety and dignity of the Syrians now in Lebanon to Syria. Specifying transportation needs departure locations and all associated costs," he said. "Raising the financing required for this plan should be started immediately. This will allow when circumstances permit a swift implementation," Salam added.

The United Nations estimates the Syrian civil war has killed 400,000 and displaced millions. World leaders are congregated at the United Nations headquarters in New York to attend the General Assembly meeting that will kick off on Tuesday (September 20).