Lebanon prioritizes deportation of Syrian refugees amid rising tensions
DAMASCUS Syria (North Press) – The deportation of Syrian refugees from Lebanon has become a top priority for the Lebanese government, French newspaper Le Monde reported on Friday.
According to the newspaper, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his desire to expedite the repatriation of Syrian refugees back to Syria.
This comes in response to numerous calls for their deportation following the killing of a Lebanese official.
On April 8, the Lebanese army said Syrian nationals killed Pascal Sleiman, a local Lebanese political official .Following the killing of Sleiman, Lebanese officials urged the need for Syrians to leave Lebanon, leading to increased violence against Syrians.
Le Monde reported that the presence of approximately two million Syrian refugees has sparked recurring tensions, which have been voiced by various communities in Lebanon.
The newspaper highlighted the growing hostility towards Syrians since the onset of the severe economic crisis.
A Syrian refugee from the city of Raqqa, northern Syria, interviewed by the same newspaper, said that Syrians are deeply disliked and face significant pressures.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report, published on April 25, that Lebanese authorities have unlawfully arrested, mistreated, and forcibly deported Syrian refugees back to Syria.
Figures released by the government of Lebanon in December 2023 estimate that the country hosts approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees, of whom 800,000 are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).