Lebanese official says Syrian refugees threat demographics, identity
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Lebanon’s caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi warned on Saturday that Syrian refugees “have become a threat to Lebanon’s demographics and identity.”
Mawlawi said in a conference in Beirut that It is no longer acceptable for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to continue to handle this file in total disregard of the Lebanese state and laws.
The Syrian refugee crisis “has become unbearable,” he added.
“The refugee problem is major, and we must approach it according to our keenness on Lebanon’s existence, interests and laws,” he demanded.
“The law must be applied equally on the Syrians and the Lebanese people,” the Lebanese official urged, while calling on the international community to come up with a clear plan that would ensure their return home.
Lebanese authorities tightened the restrictions on Syrian asylum-seekers, as the country is witnessing an unprecedented economic and political crisis that sparked demands for the deportation of Syrians.
Lebanon has already put in effect a plan to deport 15,000 individuals per month. Meanwhile the UN rejected this resolution considering Syria is still an unsafe state.
Lebanon is home to roughly two million Syrians who fled from the violence of Syria’s civil war. Since the beginning of April, the Lebanese Armed Forces have forcefully deported hundreds, including some of the around 800,000 Syrians that are under UNHCR protection.