Girls' rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai has called on world leaders to stop 'failing' the people of Syria, as she celebrates her 18th birthday.
The education activist described the situation in Syria as a 'heartbreaking tragedy', while speaking at the opening of a Malala Fund girls' school in neighbouring Lebanon.
Malala, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt when she was just 14, also announced a new £161,000 grant to support Unicef and UNHCR refugee programmes in Jordan.
The Pakistani teenager, who was shot in the head after campaigning for girls' education, settled in Birmingham after being flown to Britain for treatment in 2012.
Also the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala said she felt honoured to spend her birthday with 'brave and inspiring' girls from Syria.
'I am here on behalf of the 28 million children who are kept from the classroom because of armed conflict,' she said today, the third annual Malala Day.
'Their courage and dedication to continue their schooling in difficult conditions inspires people around the world and it is our duty to stand by them.
'On this day, I have a message for the leaders of this country, this region and the world - you are failing the Syrian people, especially Syria's children.
The Pakistani teenager, who was shot in the head after campaigning for girls' education, settled in Birmingham after being flown to Britain for treatment in 2012.
Also the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala said she felt honoured to spend her birthday with 'brave and inspiring' girls from Syria.
'I am here on behalf of the 28 million children who are kept from the classroom because of armed conflict,' she said today, the third annual Malala Day.
'Their courage and dedication to continue their schooling in difficult conditions inspires people around the world and it is our duty to stand by them.
'On this day, I have a message for the leaders of this country, this region and the world - you are failing the Syrian people, especially Syria's children.
Malala said last week that she is determined to remain a 'voice of children' despite turning 18.
People across the world have been sharing photos of themselves on Twitter for the #BooksNotBullets campaign, launched by Malala for her birthday.
The campaign is to highlight the importance of quality education for girls.
Malala added: 'On behalf of the world's children, I demand of our leaders to invest in books instead of bullets.
'Books, not bullets, will pave the path toward peace and prosperity.
'Our voices will continue to get louder and louder until we see politicians and our governments invest in the education of their youth rather than military and war.'
Lebanon is hosting nearly 1.2million registered Syrian refugees, though the total number in the country may be even higher.
The influx has placed strain on Lebanon, which has just four million citizens.
The Lebanese government has prevented the establishment of official refugee camps, giving rise to informal shanties known as 'tented settlements' in rural areas.
(dailymail.co.uk)
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