Derbas Stresses, Salam Refused to Discuss Naturalizing Refugees with Ban

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas stressed on Monday that Prime Minister Tammam Salam has refused to discuss the issue of naturalizing refugees with the U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during his visit to Lebanon.

“Salam deliberately took a preemptive step on the possibility to put the subject down for discussion by emphasizing Lebanon’s rejection for the principle of naturalization,” stated Derbas to the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat daily.

Highlighting fears that emerged lately on the possibility of naturalizing Syrian refugees, the Minister added that Salam was very clear in “emphasizing keenness on the return of refugees to their country,” stressing that there is “consensus and agreement among all political parties to reject this issue.”

Concerns that refugees could be naturalized arose after Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil warned late last week that there are indirect efforts to give the Lebanese nationality to displaced Syrians.

He urged during a press conference for “the adoption of unilateral and sovereign steps, otherwise naturalization will be imposed on us,” he said.

His comments triggered a series of reactions stressing that the issue has not been suggested by any international official.

U.N. chief Ban, World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim and Islamic Development Bank head Ahmad al-Madani were on an official visit to Lebanon last week.

Lebanon is home to more than 1 million registered Syrian refugees, or nearly a quarter of the country's 4.5 million people. Lebanese officials say that another half a million Syrians live in the country as well.

D.A.

G.K.