Delayed political solution revives fears of naturalization for Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Written by Malek

Syrian refugee children prepare to board a school bus at an unofficial refugee camp in Lebanon's town of Bar Elias in the Bekaa Valley on May 13, 2016. (AFP/Joseph Eid)

Daily Star.com.lb, Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi reaffirmed his staunch opposition to the naturalization of Syrians in Lebanon Monday, voicing fears that a delayed solution to Syria's conflict would prolong the refugee crisis in Lebanon.

“We are afraid of the Syrian refugees remaining in Lebanon, not because of the UN’s politics or of the report issued by the UN Secretary General [Ban Ki-moon], but because of the Syrian (refugee) status in Lebanon and the Syrian war,” Azzi said.

The minister made his remarks during a joint press conference with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag. He added that “the obstruction of political and necessary military solutions in Syria will make the Syrians staying in Lebanon a possibility, and the Lebanese must work to prevent this, not only to protect Lebanon but Syria also."

The report Azzi was referring to was one presented by Ban at the UN General Assembly earlier this month. The report, titled “In safety and dignity: addressing large movements of refugees and migrants,” calls on UN member states to resettle refugees to ease the burden on host communities.

During a Cabinet session last week, Azzi voiced deep discontent over the report.

“No international official dared speak about Palestinian nationalization since 1948 [the year Israel was established]. How can Ban Ki-moon mention giving citizenship to Syrians seven times in a report 26 pages long?” he had said.

The report in fact mentions the “resettlement,” and not naturalization, of refugees seven times. It does not specify Syrians, but speaks of refugees in general.

Kaag for her part stressed that there was no intention of naturalizing Syrian refugees in Lebanon, announcing two current options the refugees and host countries had.

“Right now there is the option of voluntary return to Syria or voluntary repatriation to other countries. We acknowledge Lebanon’s generosity in hosting the refugees, and the great financial burdens Lebanon is incurring as a result of this,” Kaag said.

She said the concentration now was securing humanitarian aid for the refugees, especially as Lebanon has the highest refugee per capita rate in the world.

The UNHCR says that there are around 1.1 million registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The Lebanese government has, however, put the actual number at over 1.5 million.

“I renew the U.N.’s continued support for Lebanon, whether through the 25 programs funded by the U.N. or through UNIFIL in south Lebanon,” she added.

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