Geagea vows to expel every 'illegal migrant' from Lebanon

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has stressed that his party’s stance on the issue of “illegal Syrian presence in Lebanon” is “a firm, principled and sovereign stance.”

“It does not change with a billion euros or tens of billions, nor with an international request or appeal, seeing as anyone who is illegal cannot continue to exist on Lebanese soil and this matter is not subject to discussion,” Geagea added.

“What can be discussed is only assistance in repatriating them, not assistance to keep them in Lebanon,” the LF leader went on to say.

“We have started a host of actions on the ground with the competent municipalities, administrations and ministries, and we will continue everything that we are doing until we expel the last illegal migrant from Lebanon,” Geagea vowed.

His remarks come days after EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced 1 billion euros in aid for Lebanon during a visit to the crisis-hit country and urged it to tackle illegal migration to the bloc.

The bulk of the package — 736 million euros — would go to supporting Syrian refugees “and other vulnerable groups” in Lebanon, while 200 million euros would bolster Lebanese security services in enforcing border and migration control, according to figures provided by the Cypriot government.