Report: Aoun Determined to Solve Displaced Syrians Crisis
President Michel's Aoun is determined to achieve results as for the return of displaced Syrians and his efforts will not stop at appealing to the international community for help to organize their return, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.
“There are subsequent steps that will be announced at the time to continue efforts and achieve the desired goal,” sources from the Presidential Palace told the daily on condition of anonymity.
They added that the President is resolute to “relieve the Lebanese of this pressing file.”
The government of Lebanon estimates it hosts 1.5 million Syrians. Most of them live informal tented settlements in the Bekaa Valley.
On Monday, Aoun held talks at the Baabda Palace with diplomats from the Security Council countries, the European Union and the Arab League.
He stressed that Lebanon “can no longer cope" with the presence of Syrian refugees and appealed to the international community for help to organize their return.
He said the refugees' return to safe areas in Syria will put an end to their suffering and save Lebanon from negative repercussions.
He specified rising unemployment among the Lebanese. At least 1 million registered Syrian refugees live in Lebanon, almost 25 percent of its population. Many more are believed to live unregistered, straining the country's already fraying infrastructure.
He says Lebanon doesn't want to force any returns, but appealed to international organizations not to "frighten" those who want to go home.
over 6 years
Aoun and his partners is the one behind their exodus. Pompier_ pyromane, old trick. The cancer can’t be the cure!
Credit where its due. If president Aoun pulls this one off he should be praised by everyone. Yes, we would also like to see iranian influence in Lebanon fade away asap, but we have to take one step at a time. Or else we might get stuck with the syrians just like we got stuck with the palestinians.