U.N. refugee chief sees increase in Syrian refugees

FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013 file photo, a Syrian refugee woman walks with her two kids at Zaatari Syrian refugee camp, near the Syrian border in Mafraq, Jordan. A Jordanian official says a nighttime riot at a Syrian refugee camp close to the Jordan-Syria border has left two Syrian refugees and a Jordanian policeman hurt. Anmar Hmoud, says the rioting in Zaatari camp started late Sunday and stretched into the early hours of Monday. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon, File)

The U.N. chief for refugees says the number of refugees from Syria could increase by “two or three times” the present level by the end of the year if the country’s conflict doesn’t end.

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres says the international community should work toward ending the conflict and says there is a “risk of an explosion” throughout the already volatile Middle East region if it continues much longer.

Mr. Guterres was speaking in Ankara on Sunday, days after the number of U.N.-registered refugees in neighbouring countries topped 1 million.

Mr. Guterres also renewed a call for nations to help support Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and other countries shelter the refugees.