Miqati Restates Commitment to Disassociation Policy, Says Aid Sent to Syria Purchased in Lebanon

Prime Minister Najib Miqati revealed that all aid being sent to Syria is purchased in Lebanese markets, stressing again on the cabinet's policy of disassociation towards the neighboring country's events.

"Lebanon's economy has certainly been negatively affected by Syria's conflict particularly in the fields of tourism and transportation,” Miqati told CNN in an interview that aired on Monday according to the PM's office.

"But the industry has benefited as we are exporting many goods to Syria,” he noted. "These include food and other daily-use goods that Syria is not able to produce anymore”.

He remarked: “All payments are made in cash”.

Miqati added that all aid being sent to Syria is also purchased from Lebanon.

Commenting on the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Miqati said: “Since the beginning we have disassociated ourselves from the neighboring country's conflict”.

“We took the decision to protect Lebanon,” he expressed, adding that this approach includes refraining from giving any opinion about the country's situation. “But all options regarding how the crisis might unfold are taken into consideration as it all affects Lebanon”.

The PM said Lebanon, however, that the disassociation policy will not be applied in the humanitarian aspect of the crisis.

“The cabinet is ensuring housing, food, schooling and medical care for around 200,000 registered refugees,” Miqati revealed.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said on Friday that at least 305,753 refugees have fled warn-torn Syria and came to Lebanon since the start of the country's conflict.