Barack Obama, Angela Merkel discuss aid for Syrian refugees: White House

Washington: President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the refugee crisis in Europe during a phone call on Thursday and agreed an upcoming donors` conference in London would be a chance to galvanize global efforts on the issue, the White House said.

Obama told Merkel he plans to host a summit for leaders at the UN General Assembly in September to secure new commitments to help address the refugee crisis, the White House said in a statement.

"The two leaders committed to working together over the coming months to help protect and provide for the millions of people whose lives have been upturned by war," the White House said.