UK to re-settle up to 20,000 Syrian refugees

BERLIN — British Prime Minister David Cameron says the U.K. will re-settle up to 20,000 Syrian refugees from camps in Turkey, Jordan and Syria over the next five years.

The figure represents a vast expansion of Britain's refugee program, a change signaled by Cameron last week.

He told Parliament Monday that Britain has a moral responsibility to act, citing shocking images in recent days. Cameron said vulnerable children and orphans will be given priority.

New arrivals will be given five-year "humanitarian protection" visas upon arrival in Britain.