Suleiman: Borders to Remain Open, Lebanon Can’t Afford Greater Influx

Local Editor

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman reiterated that Lebanon insists on keeping its borders open in front of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, fleeing Syria.

Addressing the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria held in Kuwait, Suleiman confirmed that "Lebanon insists on preserving its embracing role."
However, he warned that the refugees' influx would have social and economic repercussions on Lebanon.
The President further stressed that "Lebanon is still in the process of recovery from pervious crises and is based on constitutional commitments."
"The available energies and capabilities do not fit with the scale of refuges, that we hope won't escalate," Suleiman said, and pointed out that "Lebanon sought during the previous period to support the Syrian refuges flooding into its territory, despite its small size and important vitalities."

In parallel, he hoped that "all sides support the efforts of setting an emergency plan contain any sudden development or urgent influx of refugees."
Moreover, he expressed hope that the government's $370 million plan would be approved during the conference and that several countries would open their doors for refugees currently in Lebanon.
Suleiman also announced that Lebanon will provide the Arab League's General Secretariat its notes on the report of the League's mission to Lebanon to explore the conditions of the refugees.
As he urged that the discussion of refugees' issue not to be limited to funding, the head of the Lebanese state viewed that "the refugees' problem is a moral and human duty."

"Lebanon calls for the adoption of the proposals we have made to put an end to the emergency problems as result of the displacement movement so that Lebanon would not face the inability to absorb such large numbers," Suleiman asserted.
The President hoped that diplomatic efforts would find a solution for the Syrian unrest, particularly that Lebanon can't absorb the refugees, who are growing day by day.

Source: al-Ahed news, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org