Lebanon caretaker Prime Minister Mikati warns new Syrian refugee influx threatening independence

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a warning last week that the recent influx of Syrian refugees crossing into crisis-ridden Lebanon poses a serious threat to Lebanon’s demographic balance and ultimately its independence. Mikati’s remarks were made during a day-long caretaker cabinet meeting in Beirut, where several critical issues were discussed.

Mikati expressed his concerns, stating that the thousands of Syrian citizens fleeing to Lebanon each month have the potential to create significant imbalances within the nation. This issue has been a growing concern for the Lebanese government as the country grapples with its ongoing economic and political crisis.

Lebanon, a country of roughly 5.6 million people, hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees, according to the UN Refugee Agency.

The Lebanese Army has also been actively involved in addressing the situation, reporting that it has prevented approximately 1,200 Syrians from entering Lebanon in the past week alone. This underscores the severity of the challenge the nation faces in managing the influx of refugees.