UNHCR Warns of Presidential Vacuum on Support for Syria's Refugees in Lebanon

UNHCR's representative in Lebanon Ninette Kelley warned on Thursday of the presidential vacuum's repercussions on attracting foreign financial support and investments to enable the country deal with the refugee crisis.

"Presidential vacuum decreases international trust in Lebanon,” Kelley said in an interview with An Nahar daily published on Thursday.

She explained that while “institutions attract support and resources, paralysis in their work calls the country's stability into question, decreasing hence donors' trust in making investments in the country.”

Former President Michel Suleiman left Baabda Palace on Sunday, without a successor to take office in the coming six years as difference between the March 8 and March 14 rivals prevented the elections of a new head of state.

The parliament has failed to elect a president in five rounds of vote and the sixth session is scheduled for June 9.

Kelley also discussed the situation of the over one million Syrian refugees currently residing in Lebanon, revealing that negotiations are underway with Prime Minister Tammam Salam's cabinet over the possibility of establishing camps inside Syria or in border regions.

"The UNHCR has defended the establishment of camps to face the shortage of residences and we have identified several locations for this purpose,” she said.

However, a political decision in this matter has not been adopted yet, she noted.

The U.N. official elaborated: “The cabinet suggested two ideas; the first one concerns establishing camps inside Syria, and Syrian (authorities) have the final say in this matter, and the second in regards to establishing camps on the border or in unoccupied lands (a.k.a. no man's land).”

"The problem with the last suggestion is that these territories do not fall under the rule of Lebanese authorities, and the United Nations cannot work in regions that are not subjected to a state's authority because this puts our safety in danger,” she added.

As for border regions, Kelley said the U.N. has been notified that this is a discouraged step because these lands are located near conflict zones and could become hideouts for gunmen, which also threatens the safety of refugees and of humanitarian workers.

"We brought up this issue with Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and Minister of Social Affairs Rashid Derbass and we are continuously communicating over this matter,” she remarked.

Kelley said the U.N. “understands Lebanon's right in safeguarding its stability,” in the light of talks about closing the border with Syria, but she asked Lebanese authorities to take into consideration the right of “those looking for security.”

The UNHCR's periodic report revealed on Monday that the number of Syrians who fled the war-torn neighboring country has reached 1,058,088, in addition to 11,000 who crossed into the country in the past week.

In a related matter, the UNHCR's representative revealed that many refugees “felt unsafe” ahead of their country's presidential elections.

"They were encouraged to vote, and they felt that their safety is under threat. This is an issue of concern to us,” she said, adding that al-Mashnouq prevented holding any political rallies before the polls to preserve stability in Lebanon.

Syria's refugees in Lebanon headed to their embassy in Yarze on Thursday for the second day in a row to elect a new president for their country.

S.D.B.

G.K.