Bassil Meets Steinmeier: Stability Lies in Reducing Number of Syrian Refugees, Backing Army

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil held talks on Friday with visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Lebanon's efforts to support the burden of Syrian refugees and the ongoing conflict in the neighboring country.

Bassil said in a press conference after meeting his German counterpart: “Stability in Lebanon lies in lowering the number of Syrian refugees, backing the army, and holding presidential and parliamentary elections.”

“We demand support for the Lebanese army, which is playing a central role in confronting terrorism,” he added.

“Lebanon is harboring over a million refugees and the international community has not lifted a finger to help it,” Bassil stressed.

He also thanked Germany for all its support and development aid to Lebanon, noting that “it is one of the few countries that have respected their vows to Lebanon.”

The large flow of refugees should be confronted with a plan that would ensure their return to their homeland, explained Bassil.

The minister then stated: “I fear for Europe in that it has not yet realized the dangers of the refugees and of terrorism.”

For his part, Steinmeier declared: “We are aware of the heavy burden Lebanon is enduring with the Syrian refugees and you should know that Germany will not abandon it.”

“Germany is presenting around a billion euros in aid to Syrian refugees and the countries sheltering them,” he explained.

There are now around 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Their presence is creating a major strain on the country's infrastructure.

In December, Beirut officially imposed visa regulations on its neighbors in a move aimed at curbing the flow of refugees.

This week, Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas accused the United Nations of stalling in providing Lebanon with aid for the refugees.

In March, International donors had pledged $3.8 billion at a U.N.-backed conference held in Kuwait.

M.T.

G.K.