Lebanon stresses need for political solution to Syrian crisis

Lebanon's Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil stressed the need for a political solution to the Syrian crisis Monday to ease the refugee burden on Lebanon.

Visiting European Union (EU) foreign policy Chief, Federica Mogherini, arrived in Beirut from Brussels Sunday.

Throughout Mogherini's one-day trip, she is slated to visit a Syrian refugee informal settlement as well as a public school in the eastern Bekaa town of Bar Elias.

During a joint press conference with Mogherini, the minister emphasized that "Lebanon can no longer endure this burden."

"Syrian refugees' safe return to their country must become the outcome of a political solution to the crisis," he added, noting that Lebanese authorities never resorted to force to curb the influx of refugees.

"Lebanon's constitution prohibits naturalization of Syrian refugees," Bassil pointed out.

"Lebanon has generously welcomed those displaced from their home countries," he said.

As for Mogherini, she acknowledged the strain Lebanon is under due to the influx of refugees, echoing Bassil's call for a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

She hoped that a political structure can be implemented in Syria to end both the crisis and the refugees' plight.

Bassil and Mogherini also highlighted the growing threat of both regional and global terrorism, with the minister stressing the need for increased efforts to counter this danger.

He thanked the EU for its support of Lebanon's stability, while Mogherini said that the EU and Lebanon "share common interests in combating terrorism."

"The EU will continue supporting Lebanon, however this is insufficient as Lebanon needs to realize its own targets through state institutions," she declared.

According to the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Lebanon is hosting over 1.1 million Syrian refugees. Endit