Aoun at U.N.: We Categorically Reject Any Naturalization Scheme

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

President Michel Aoun stressed Wednesday that Lebanon rejects “any naturalization scheme” for the around two million Syrian and Palestinian refugees who live in the country.

“We categorically reject any naturalization scheme for (Palestinian) refugees or the displaced (Syrians),” Aoun said in a speech at the annual U.N. General Assembly in New York.

“I reiterate that my country is seeking a dignified, safe and sustainable return of the displaced to their homeland and we reject any procrastination or bargain over this existential file... It should not be linked to a political solution whose timing remains vague,” the president emphasized.

Aoun noted that the Syrians who have fled to Lebanon “are not political refugees,” seeing as “most of them have fled due to security situations or economic motives.”

“The largest part of Syrian territory has become safe and I have spoken of a safe return for Syrian refugees to their country, distinguishing between it and a voluntary return,” Aoun stated.

He also warned that “the huge numbers of Syrian refugees and the impact on the Lebanese society makes it impossible to continue to shoulder this burden.”

The president also voiced support for the Russian initiative that aims to repatriate Syrian refugees from Lebanon and the neighboring countries.

Separately, Aoun accused the international community of a double standard when dealing with the Middle East.

Criticizing the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel while cutting aid to Palestinians and to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Aoun said that "history has taught us that injustice leads to war."

“Absence of justice can lead to violence and terrorism," he warned.

"Unfortunately, international political approaches to the Middle East still lack justice and there are double standards in this regard. The Palestinian question is an example of that," Aoun lamented.

Comments 5
Thumb canadianleb 26 September 2018, 18:11

I am so happy he made it to the UN it was a very close call if he didn't kick paying passengers off a plane. Also, he could have used his son in laws private jet.
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/9/24/passengers-forced-to-disembark-as-lebanese-presidency-commandeers-plane

Missing phillipo 26 September 2018, 19:03

"return of the displaced to their homeland"
So, just how many people are there who were displaced from their actual birthplace in what is now Israel. As they are all now well over over 70, there must be very few.

Thumb roflmfao 26 September 2018, 19:57

So if you're under 70 years old you cannot return to the actual birthplace of your own parents and grandparents.. unless you're under 70 years old and you're looking to return to what you claim is the birthplace of your 2000 years old ancestor.. makes complete sense.. which reminds me.. I need to get ready to go out have a beer with a couple of Tyrannosauruseseses.. they have quite a story to tell. The called me the other day claiming to have proof that their ancestors where given what is now Israel/Palestine by God to live on during the seven day prior to him creating Adam ans Even, so they call dibs on the place and they want it back.. thing is I'm a little worried about our meeting today one of them asked me if I knew if Christians, Jews and Muslims tasted the same..

Thumb janoubi 26 September 2018, 21:12

do not sell unless you really need the money.

Thumb rolfmao. 27 September 2018, 04:43

Aoun: We Categorically Reject Any Naturalization Scheme, except for the Naturalization of the friends of the Syrian regime

https://vimeo.com/273326377