Mountain Says No Intention to Naturalize Syrians in Lebanon
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ross Mountain, has said that the U.N. does not intend to keep Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
“There is no intention by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees or the U.N. or any other party to naturalize people here,” Mountain told An Nahar daily published on Thursday.
“We are aware of the sensitive situation in that regard,” he said in the interview.
“Lebanon is hosting the highest number of refugees,” he added.
“Despite everything, Lebanon is immune,” Mountain told An Nahar.
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil accused the UNHCR of sparking a rise in the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
He said some of its practices could lead to the naturalization of newborn Syrians.
The number of displaced Syrians began to rise again last April because of the UNHCR, he added, despite a decision to restrict the entry of Syrians last October.
Mountain refused to say whether the country's situation is worse than in the 1990s when he assumed his duties.
He only said: “The political situation seems today more complicated ... there is concern over the absence of a president and huge pressure on Prime Minister Tammam Salam.”
G.K.
D.A.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/186033 |