Amnesty Chief Lauds Lebanon on Refugees, Warns against 'Xenophobia'

The head of the Amnesty International rights group on Tuesday applauded Lebanon for hosting more than a million refugees from neighboring Syria but warned against what he called “xenophobic talk.”

Praising Lebanon for its welcome of refugees, Amnesty International chief Salil Shetty told AFP that his group would continue pressuring the international community to provide greater assistance to the government to absorb spiraling costs.

But he also warned against "a growing tide of xenophobic talk" in the country.

"It is important for the leaders of this country to send a clear message... that is beyond the pale, that is not acceptable," he said.

"The Lebanese have not been xenophobic: you've done so much and this is a good time for you to reign in those kinds of tendencies."

Around 1.5 million Syrian refugees are being hosted by the tiny country and their presence has led to increasing social tension and even calls to begin returning them.