Germany Says Lebanon Paying Price of Syria War
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle warned on Sunday that Lebanon was paying the price of the war in Syria and reiterated his country’s support for the Lebanese people.
In remarks to the Kuwaiti al-Rai daily, Westerwelle said: “We are watching the developments in Lebanon with concern and preserving our intense contacts with our Lebanese partners.”
“I visited Lebanon last June as a sign of solidarity with the Lebanese people that are suffering from the repercussions of the ugly civil war in Syria,” he said.
“We are helping Lebanon whenever it needs (any help) such as through programs to support the refugees from Syria,” Westerwelle added.
At least 1.2 million people have been displaced by the Syrian conflict which erupted 17 months ago, according to the United Nations. Almost 229,000 refugees have been officially registered in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq.
Westerwelle also told al-Rai that the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad is nearing its end and will not be able to regain areas that were captured by the rebel Free Syrian Army.
“He is dragging the entire country with him to civil war in a horrendous way,” he said.
02 September 2012, 08:56
02
Lebanese leaders have to man up and ask for real money to assist syrian refugees and to pay for the spillover of syrian crisis which has affected greatly the economy of Lebanon. I mean they should pay REAL money. The western and arab gouvernments are feeling guilty to have to stay on the sidelines and are ready to pay up. They should pay to Lebanon. Jordan asked for 700,000,000 USD. 0.7 Billion dollar. We are way more affected and are asking for measle sums. Mikati should put his best tie on, go on a tour of western and arab capitals like hariri would have done, and ask for at least 1 billion USD of compensation for Lebanon. He should get at least half.
02 September 2012, 12:35
02
If you don't want to send us money, send us tents and food... I also wouldn't trust our leadership with the money.
02 September 2012, 14:27
10
The German foreign minister would be more authoritative if he said something about the Taef Accord in Lebanon as an incomplete realization of European ideals of democracy, and the same for Zionism in Palestine, speaking as a child of Germany which had its own flirtation with the system of democracy for some, slavery for others. He should abhor the sight of Arabs turning to Germany and its partners for refuge against democracy, not just as a matter of national honor, but as a simple matter of evident imperative. Does he think he can, with a few anti-tank missiles and satellite photographs, hold back the Arab Spring from completing its thaw of middle-eastern politics?
02 September 2012, 20:10
00
Y'all assuming Lebanon is not receiving money? The German Foreign Minister mentioned "strong programs" to help Lebanon cope with refugees.
What would they be then?
03 September 2012, 10:44
00
How can a second or third generation, born in Lebanon, still be regarded as a refugee.
A refugee is someone who was forced out of their home, not their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
How many actual Palestinian refugees from 1948 are still alive in Lebanon? Very few. All the following generations are just blood-sucking, money-grabbers.
11 October 2012, 23:52
00
The main problem of lebanon is Syria and palastine, if those 2 nations can leave lebanon and the lebanese in peace! hundreds of thousands of both nations exist in lebanon which makes look like no man's land!!! and they say 50,000 syrian refugees...LOL
