03/27/2012 16:20 GMT

PRAGUE, March 27, 2012 (AFP) - The Czech foreign ministry on Tuesday pledged three million koruna (122,000 euros, $163,000) in aid to refugees from strife-torn Syria.

"The aid will be provided to people fleeing from violence in Syria to neighbouring countries, particularly Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon," a statement said.

It said the aid would be provided through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees under a recently approved regional aid plan.

The United Nations said Tuesday the year-long conflict in Syria had claimed more than 9,000 lives, while the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 9,734 people had died, including 7,056 civilians.

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