Gemayel: Syrian Refugees Pose Existential Threat

Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel warned Wednesday that the Syrian refugees have started to pose an “existential threat” to Lebanon.

“Syrian refugees in Lebanon now represent around half the country's population after their numbers surpassed 1.5 million, which poses an existential threat to Lebanon in addition to the social and economic threats,” Gemayel cautioned in a speech before the general assembly of the European People's Party in Brussels.

“The EU and the U.S. must take practical steps that confirm that they are seriously seeking to return the refugees to their country,” Gemayel added.

He also urged the EU to send a delegation to Beirut to “discuss the issue with Lebanese officials” and to “lead serious attempts to find real solutions for the file with the main players in the region.”