Justice committee convenes over Syrian refugees law
The Administration and Justice Committee studied Tuesday a law aiming at regulating the status of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and decided to adjourn the discussion until next week.
The Committee's head, Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan, said that he will not accept the integration of the refugees and urged Arab states not to return Syria to the Arab fold before the repatriation of the refugees.
A Ministerial panel had decided to take stricter measures against irregular refugees, as the Lebanese Army raided homes in various parts of the country, arresting hundreds and deporting dozens who had entered the country irregularly or held expired residency cards.
Arab foreign ministers meeting Monday in Amman to discuss Syria's long-running conflict had agreed the return of Syrian refugees was a "top priority", according to a communique released after the talks.
The talks in Jordan's capital brought together foreign ministers from Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt, in the latest regional engagement with the long isolated government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"The voluntary and safe return of refugees to their country is a top priority, and the necessary steps must be taken immediately to implement it," the closing statement said.
According to the United Nations, about 5.5 million Syrian refugees who fled since the conflict began in 2011 are registered in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.
The communique called for increased cooperation between Damascus, host countries and the United Nations to organize repatriation operations in a "clear time frame".
02 May 2023, 12:48
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The refugees should either return to Syria or be sent to the countries who destroyed their habitats which are the USA, Canada, UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Turkiye, Russia, Morocco, KSA, Qatar and the UAE.
02 May 2023, 14:32
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Solution simple and Lebanon could have rightfully gotten billions for taking care of Syrian refugees and teaching them democracy and civility so they can make a positive change once back in Syria. Turkey got tens of billions from Europe as these refugees would have cost significantly more in Europe, with average cost of $3,000 per month or $100 a day. Lebanon rightly deserves at least $25 per day for every Syrian temporary refugee in Lebanon. This is over $10 billion per year and every new day add to the earmark. This will insure Assad would want them back as soon as possible. FPM has instead used refugees as a cash cow to divert millions to its cronies. Lebanon should request UN & Arab league to have these funds earmarked from any donor conference to help Syria rebuild. In addition, why not learn from US and UAE and offer citizenship to 1,000 students with highest score whether Syrian, Palestinian or any refugee or kids of Asian and African foreign workers.
02 May 2023, 20:56
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100% FPM has used the refugee card to build on sectarian nerves in the country and try to increase their popularity with this rhetoric however it has backfired as the christian community do not trust them anymore.Well done george adwan and to the LF the only people working for the interests of Lebanon.
