Salam to Underscore Syrian Refugee Plight in Lebanon during Istanbul Humanitarian Summit
Prime Minister Tammam Salam is scheduled to travel to the Turkish city of Istanbul to attend the Global Humanitarian Summit on Sunday, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.
It said that he will address the case of Syrian refugees, demanding international support to allow the displaced to return to their homeland and safe regions to ease the burden they pose on Lebanon.
He will be accompanied on his trip by Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas, Education Minister Elias Bou Saab, and a number of economic consultants.
Lebanon is home to more than one million registered Syrian refugees, or nearly a quarter of the country's 4.5 million people. Lebanese officials say that another half a million Syrians live in the country as well.
Earlier this week, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon caused a stir in Lebanon in wake of a report in which he allegedly suggested naturalizing the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
The cabinet declared Thursday that it unanimously rejects any attempt to naturalize the refugees.
U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag held talks on Friday with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil to clarify Ban's statements.
She said: “The report makes no mention of any specific country and seeks primarily to promote more collective action and better responsibility sharing by member states to address large movements of refugees and migrants.”
“The report addresses the challenges of countries hosting refugees for lengthy periods and calls for measures to better support host communities, to promote social inclusion and to combat discrimination.”
“The report does not advocate in any specific case for naturalization or granting of citizenship for refugees.”
Bassil has repeatedly warned against international attempts to naturalize refugees in Lebanon, demanding that the country take “unilateral action” against such plans.
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