Opposition Warns Cabinet against Handing Over Refugees to Syrian Regime

The March 14 forces warned the cabinet on Monday against handing over any Syrian refugees who entered the country to escape the Syrian regime’s crackdown against protests, the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Seyassah reported.

According to sources the opposition will take all the necessary measures on the issue and will hold the government responsible for the repercussions of such a decision on Lebanon.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement MP Khaled Zahraman rejected handing over the Syrian refugees who have fled the deadly crackdown by the regime on protestors as it violates the international treaties.

“If Lebanon responded to the Syrian regime’s demands, then Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s cabinet will be the regime’s accomplice in killing the Syrian people,” Zahraman said.

He lashed out at ministers who described the Syrian refugees as “terrorists” during the last cabinet session.

Zahraman said that the government’s failure to approve a request by Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour to allocate LL100 million to provide more humanitarian assistance to the Syrian refugees is “shameful”.

Media reports said on Saturday that Lebanese authorities are hesitant in handing over Syrian refugees to Damascus, fearing that such a move would lead to increased international pressure on Lebanon.

According to the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat, the Syrian authorities have asked Beirut to hand over several refugees that had escaped the fighting in their country to northern Lebanon.

Several countries, mainly the U.S., are pressuring Lebanon into providing the humanitarian needs of all Syrian refugees, including dissenters and deserters.