Lebanon Begins Implementing Strict Entry Controls on Syrians
The government began implementing strict entry controls on Syrians fleeing the turmoil in the neighboring in an attempt to confront the soaring numbers of refugees.
According to An Nahar newspaper published on Wednesday, the security measures are implemented on all border crossings with Syrian including al-Masnaa border crossing in the east, al-Abboudiyeh in Akkar district, al-Aridah in North Lebanon and several others.
The measures aim at preventing “terrorist” and anti-Lebanese army groups from entering the country.
“Only people with valid identification cards or passports can enter and they are filling applications that identify them whether they are refugees or workers,” the report said.
Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel previously said that the measures aim at organizing the refugees legal permits.
The residency permits will have a timeframe of six months, Charbel noted.
Ministerial sources told An Nahar that the entry controls don't target the Syrians but rather aim at safeguarding the Lebanese.
Concerning the government's decision to shut down unlicensed businesses owned by Syrians across Lebanon, the deadline for them acquire the legal permits was extended to August 31.
The Lebanese state argues that the Syrians the right to work to feed themselves on building sites or other sectors but not in trade or in businesses that require a permit.
Many Syrian refugees are forced to sleep rough on the streets because they can not afford to rent somewhere to live.
But the presence of 600,000 alongside a population of just four million has sparked mounting friction.
A recent opinion poll found that 54 percent of respondents believed Lebanon should close its doors to the refugees. A full 82 percent said that the refugees were stealing jobs from Lebanese.
almost 11 years
and that my friend cleanleb, was the opinion of an israeli, who wishes to expell more palestinians into lebanon and needs us to first rid him of HA, because HA makes their gogo-lani brigades do in their pants.
almost 11 years
We have heard that rhetoric about the Iranian influence over HA.
But has anyone mentioned the Saudi influence on M14? How many Leb politicians have business interests in the Gulf? They have all been blackmailed so as not to stray away from Saudi directives. Saudi's fund election campaigns, the result is they "own" the majority on the Leb Parlianment. This is illegal in all Western countries.
Has anyone mentioned Qatari influence on Leb security? Has anyone objected to their funding of Ahmed Al Asir?
Yes, HA committed some mistakes. But they are not the only problem that plagues Leb. In fact, they are the lowest on that long list of problems we have.
almost 11 years
Interesting that we can have strict restrictions on the Syrians coming in but not on our own militias leaving, and I am including all militia in that (pro and anti Syrian regime).
We all know our politicians are linked to militia fighting in Syria; but it's too bad that they have succeeded in undermining our institutions as well, including our army.
almost 11 years
You all should do what the Australian Government has signed in as law to all refugees , ship them to Papua New Guinea for good without any hope stepping a foot in Australia ! What we have are a million Palestinians on our west coast & about 1.3 million Syrians on our east coast . That is almost half of our Lebanese population ! Send them all back to their original homeland to the West Bank & the rest to the Golan heights , I'm sure Israel won't kill 2 million people, that will clear 95% of our problems !
almost 11 years
fed up are you? yet you bite at HA, here's a thought, HA aren't handling this situation too well, care to give a helping hand? ofcourse not! you'd much rather criticize! because you lebanese are 'zi best'! but won't stir a finger to change one goddamn thing. pathetic maronites...you're a joke here in switzerland, lebabese trash maronites go home. from a swissy.
almost 11 years
"The measures aim at preventing “terrorist” and anti-Lebanese army groups from entering the country."
Excellent news.
lol... bakkir
How pathetic are leaders are?
But better late than never.
After 1 million refugees and tens of thousands of armed fighters already in Lebanon. Add to that half a million armed Palestinians, and I still see morons who have nothing better to do than to criticize HA weapons. That is even more pathetic because no one mentions if other factions have arms like Amal, PNSP, Future (through Fath Al Islam, Jund El Sham, Jund Al Sit...), Marada, Tripoli (where there has been skirmishes for years).... pathetic.