Lebanon reiterates concerns over repatriation of Syrian refugees

Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil reiterated Tuesday concerns about the repatriation of Syrian refugees to Lebanon and the grave threats it will create to its economy, security and stability, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

"The concerns raised previously during the two rounds of discussions in Vienna and New York in relation to the voluntary return of displaced Syrians in neighboring countries, particularly in Lebanon," Bassil said while addressing a letter the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Permanent Representative to the Security Council Samantha Power.

"Under these circumstances, the displaced Syrians have an option to stay in Lebanon, driven by economic reasons that make them fall into the category of economic migrants, giving the host country full freedom to decide the issue of their stay and return, which could not be considered in this case voluntary," Bassil said.

Bassil asserted that "Lebanon is committed to offer full support to the serious work of the International Support Group for Syria."

On a related issue, Bassil underscored the need to control the movement of refugees "who represent a major crisis at the domestic level."

He assured that "Lebanon welcomed Syrians out of sheer humanitarian convictions and not because it was obliged to do so, calling on other countries to fulfill their humanitarian responsibilities instead of financing terrorism."

"We will not accept the change of the Lebanese and regional image characterized by its diversity, especially that the region is subject to an Israeli policy," Bassil concluded, stressing the importance of unity in this time of crisis. Endit