Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Sunday expressed Lebanon’s disappointment with the recent decision by the European Union Parliament to keep the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, saying the move clearly violates Lebanon's sovereignty.
“Lebanon is disappointed with the recent decision of the European Parliament. This decision is a clear violation of Lebanese sovereignty and does not consider the concerns and aspirations of the Lebanese people,” the prime minister said at the International Conference on Development and Migration held in Rome.
Mikati then stressed on the need to forge a strong strategic partnership and enhance coordination between the European Union, Mediterranean countries, and Lebanon.
“Our shared goal is to effectively tackle the refugee crisis in a manner that aligns with the expectations of the region's population, safeguards peace and security in Lebanon, and assists Europe in addressing specific migration and development-related challenges, with the priority being the preservation of lives, internal stability, and security in our respective nations,” he stated.
Mikati added that although Lebanon has not signed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 1951 Refugee Convention, Lebanon has provided shelter and assistance to Syrians during the Syrian war despite extremely limited resources and severe job opportunities in the country.
He said the Lebanese people welcomed refugees with open arms and shared all they had to support them during these challenging times.
Highlighting the stance of the Lebanese government on the issue of Syrian refugees, Mikati said: “Now that the conflict in Syria has ended, we need to develop a plan for the safe and secure return of all refugees to their homeland.”
He urged International organizations and donor countries to redirect the funds to refugees in Lebanon to those who decide to return to their home country.
He then told participants that the situation in Lebanon is critical, particularly considering its hosting of one of the highest numbers of refugees relative to its population in the world.
“Lebanon, a relatively small country with a population of five million, now accommodates approximately two million Syrian refugees. To put this in perspective, it is as if Italy were to host and accommodate 20 million refugees,” the PM noted.
Mikati stressed that this disproportionate burden places immense strain on the country's infrastructure, economy, and social fabric, which an unprecedented economic and financial crisis has severely impacted.
He then criticized the recent European Parliament decision, which he said appears to overlook the multifaceted complexities and challenges that Lebanon faces.
“Rather than recognizing Lebanon's resilience and supporting it and the Lebanese Armed Forces in addressing the refugee crisis, we find ourselves blamed or, more accurately, penalized for our hospitality and efforts,” he said.
Also, the pressure imposed by this crisis and the dire consequences of the long-term presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon undermine the social fabric and directly threaten its model of diversity, Mikati said.
The Lebanese PM then affirmed that Lebanon is ready to engage in dialogue, cooperation, and collaboration with all international partners to develop a joint roadmap for addressing this crisis. “We are eager to enhance our cooperation with the European Union in this endeavor,” he said.
