Salam from Istanbul: Syrian Refugees Will not be Naturalized in Lebanon

Prime Minister Tammam Salam stated on Monday that Lebanon does not accept any form of naturalization of the Syrian refugees or granting them the Lebanese citizenship, and urged U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon to rally the efforts to help displaced return to their homeland.

“Lebanon’s constitution does not allow it to neither accept nor reject any forms of integration, resettlement or naturalization of Syrian refugees,” emphasized Salam from the World Humanitarian Summit that kicked off in Istanbul on Monday.

He voiced calls on Ban to reactivate the United Nations' role and to put the efforts together to return the refugees to their homeland.

The PM affirmed that a political solution "is the only way to end the conflict in Syria," pointing out that the gradual return of displaced Syrians to safe areas in their country will, "without a doubt affect," the course of the reconciliation process.

He added that "Lebanon does not have enough resources to help more than 1.5 million Syrians and Palestinians who sought refuge on its territories."

Salam had held talks on the margins of the summit with Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

In an interview to the daily An Nahar on Monday, the premier stressed that the controversial file of naturalizing refugees in host countries requires close follow up.

He made his stance in wake of controversial statements made by Ban on the naturalization of displaced people.

Ban made some clarifications and denied that he was seeking to urge Lebanon to naturalize the Syrian refugees on its territories.

“We are thankful, but this does not mean that we should not follow up on this matter amidst the decisions taken around the world with regard to the refugees,” Salam said.

“What applies in other countries does not apply in Lebanon and vice versa,” he added.

Salam denied reports claiming that he will have a special meeting with Ban, saying: “There are 177 participating countries (in the summit), but we might run into each other and then I might have something to say. I am sure that he will be keen to clarify things further.”

According reports, Ban had said in a report he submitted to the Vienna conference on Syria that refugees have the right to obtain the nationalities of the countries they live in.

Ban's remarks had prompted an urgent meeting for the Lebanese government's Syrian refugee cell, which comprises Salam, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas and Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi.

It announced that it unanimously rejects any attempt to naturalize Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

D.A.

M.T.