US to accept more refugees than planned

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R) and US Secretary of State John Kerry address the media after their meeting at German foreign ministry's guesthouse Villa Borsig at lake Tegel in Berlin, Germany, September 20, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

BERLIN -- US Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Sunday that the United States would increase the number of worldwide refugees it will take in over the next two years.

Kerry made the remarks during a visit to Berlin after meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss the current refugee crisis.

Kerry said his country was ready to help in dealing with the crisis. According to him, the US will accept 85,000 refugees from around the world next year, up from 70,000, and the number will rise to 100,000 in 2017.

The minister did not give further details about the exact number of Syrian refugees that are expected to be accepted.

Kerry's announcement came amid a growing call for the US to do more to alleviate the escalating refugee crisis. US President Barack Obama had announced that his administration would let in at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the coming year.