Fletcher Voices Fears over Possible Normalization of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
British Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher voiced fears over the possible normalization of Syrian refugees in Lebanon should the conflict in their country take a long time to be resolved, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.
He told the daily that the danger of their normalization exists, urging the Lebanese government to take the necessary plans to contain the impact of the Syrian conflict.
He added however that the Syrians themselves do not want to stay in Lebanon, but they aspire to return to their homeland as soon as possible.
A political solution is necessary for Syria, stressed the ambassador.
Fletcher noted that the international community had encouraged Lebanon to harbor the refugees, adding that this burden should not remain on its shoulders alone.
To this day, Britain has presented a billion dollars in aid to Syrian refugees in the region and Lebanon has been one of the main beneficiaries of this aid, continued the ambassador.
The needs of the refugees are growing and the meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in April should present an opportunity to meet the refugees' educational needs, he explained.
The influx of nearly one million Syrian refugees, according to United Nations figures, has swollen Lebanon's population by 25 percent since the war broke out across the border in March 2011.
The U.N. forecasts that registered refugees in Lebanon could reach 1.5 million by the end of the year.
29 March 2014, 15:25
06
Mr. Fletcher, the last time we Lebanese were told this same story, 5 decades ago, we realized that we had half a million Palestinians plus all of their filthy militias, now you're telling us that Syrians who are quadruple that amount will be any better?
29 March 2014, 16:25
40
Mr. Fletcher is trying to say that normalization in any sense of the word in any area of state practice would cause the collapse of the Western-leaning but also Saudi-leaning pseudo-state of Taef (Christian-minority-dominated) Lebanon. He is saying that Lebanon must choose between its friends and reality. Every night Mr. Fletcher goes home and explains to his family that normality is bad.
30 March 2014, 02:32
02
Chris I am for freedom of speech, but honestly when someone as ill informed as you decides to give their opinion, it just sounds buffoonish at best. You know nothing about my country and its demographics yet you decide to constantly make a note of Christians being a minority. For once tell me the source of your information otherwise just keep your silly remarks to yourself.
29 March 2014, 18:34
00
well done Marlene Khalife for a very interesting interview. you made him say publicly what people here behind closed doors.
29 March 2014, 18:37
00
مقابلة ممتازة، شكرا مارلين خليفة لأنك جعلته يوق علنا ما يقال في الغرف المغلقة.
