Beirut, July 19, 2023 (Xinhua) Lebanon, in a letter to the European Union, today (Wednesday) denounced a decision of the European Parliament that supports keeping Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and called for launching a constructive and comprehensive dialogue between Lebanon and the European Union on the issue of Syrian displacement.
This came according to the official Lebanese National News Agency, in a letter sent by the Foreign Minister of the Lebanese caretaker government, Abdullah Bouhabib, to the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
In his message, he stressed “the need to launch a constructive and comprehensive dialogue between Lebanon and the European Union on all files, especially the Syrian displacement file, which has begun to pose a threat not only to the Lebanese social structure and economic stability, but also to the continued existence of Lebanon as an entity.”
In his letter, Bouhabib also expressed “Lebanon’s adherence to its rights and responsibilities in facilitating the safe and dignified return of displaced Syrians to their homes, especially to safe areas, in line with the principles of international law, and in a manner that does not contradict the Lebanese constitution, which stipulates that Lebanon is not a country of asylum.”
He pointed out, “The need for the international community to work to address the causes of Syrian displacement, as stated in the European Parliament’s decision, and to accelerate early recovery, including securing basic infrastructure and social services in Syria, in order to facilitate the return of the displaced.”
He reaffirmed Lebanon’s readiness to launch a dialogue with the European Union aimed at drawing up a road map for the safe and dignified return of the displaced Syrians to their country.
He encouraged “to proceed with the idea of forming a comprehensive administrative advisory mission affiliated with the European Union to discuss the urgent needs of the Lebanese public sector and the provision of basic services.”
Bouhabib expressed his hope for “launching a comprehensive and constructive Lebanese-European dialogue covering all fields, particularly the sensitive issue of the displaced.”
Last Wednesday, the European Parliament issued a resolution supporting keeping Syrian refugees in Lebanon, expressing “concern about the escalation of anti-refugee rhetoric by Lebanese political parties and ministers.”
The resolution urged Lebanon to “refrain from deportation, imposing discriminatory measures and inciting hatred against Syrian refugees” in the event of any action regarding immigration.
Following its issuance, the decision received negative reactions and criticism from Lebanese officials and parties, considering it an “interference in the internal affairs” of Lebanon.
And the Lebanese caretaker government confirmed on June 13 that the Syrian refugees in Lebanon must return to their country in coordination with Syria and the League of Arab States, provided that it is a dignified and safe return in line with international resolutions, especially Resolution 2254.
The government emphasized direct coordination with Syria through a ministerial delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the membership of the Ministers of the Displaced, Social Affairs, Labor, Culture, Tourism, Agriculture and Information, the Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council, and the Director of Public Security.
The Lebanese General Security had previously implemented a plan for the safe and voluntary return of the displaced, in coordination with the Syrian authorities, which included, between 2017 and 2019, about 540,000 refugees, but work on this plan stopped with the outbreak of the Corona pandemic.
The Lebanese General Security estimates the number of Syrians residing in the country at two million and 80 thousand, who constitute social, economic and security pressures on the country, which has been facing since the end of 2019 an acute economic and financial crisis.
2023-07-19 14:27:30
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