Lebanon’s FM calls for resolving Syrian refugees issue by dialogue
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib called for resolving the Syrian refugees issue through dialogue with European countries.
Bou Habib said, in a discussion session held in Italy, “The refugees’ issue must be resolved by a dialogue with European countries and not through the attempt of some influential European countries to impose their stay in Lebanon indefinitely.”
On May 16, a group of 19 human rights and advocacy organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW), have called for an immediate halt of deportations of Syrians from Lebanon.
According to a joint letter released by NGOs, the Lebanese Armed Forces have conducted raids across the country, carrying deportees to the border and handling them directly to Syrian authorities, often without being able to contact a lawyer or appeal the decision.
Some Syrians have been arrested or have been disappeared upon their return, the advocacy group said.
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.
Bou Habib revealed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other officials had informed him that Syria has 40 laws to ensure that refugees, including opponents and dissidents, are not punished in any way.
Syrian government intends to coordinate with international organizations to ensure that those who will return to Syria “are not subjected to any harassment or arbitrary prosecution,” the foreign minister added.