13/05/2024

Syriac Maronite church launches an initiative to solve Syrian refugee presence in Lebanon

BETH KERKE, Lebanon —The calls for Syrian refugees’ deportation from Lebanon were not limited to the political officials only, but also extended to church leaders.

The Syriac Maronite Center for Documentation and Research, headed by the Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Butros al-Rai, held a closed session to address the Syrian refugees’ presence.

The session was attended by Lebanese MPs and representatives of security agencies.

Interior Minister Bassam al-Mawlavi, before the meeting, confirmed that the meeting will lead to the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, indicating that measures will be taken with the help of Lebanon’s municipalities.

He also stressed the rejection of illegal Syrian presence in Lebanon.

The Lebanese Forces Party held meetings with officials closely associated with the Syrian refugees.

The party officials met with Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and stressed that Lebanon is not a suitable country for refugees.

Similarly, the Progressive Socialist Party called for dialogue with the Syrian regime to address the issue of refugees.

Lebanon hosts more than 1,800,000 Syrian refugees.