The Lebanese government has chosen to send an official delegation to Damascus to discuss the situation along the shared border. In recent months, there has been a notable rise in the influx of illegal refugees from Syria. This decision was confirmed by Acting Minister for Displaced Persons Issam Sharaf al-Din in an interview with TASS.
"The delegation, set to depart for Damascus in the coming days, will be led by Lebanon's acting Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. It will also comprise representatives from the army command and various security agencies," - explained the official. - "During the discussions with our Syrian counterparts, we aim to develop a coordinated plan of action to prevent the unlawful entry of refugees into Lebanese territory."
The acting minister stated that "in August alone, 8,000 individuals were apprehended at the border, and the tally of violators has surpassed 20,000 since the start of the year."
According to Sharaf al-Din, the Lebanese government is deeply concerned about the increasing influx of refugees and recognizes that this issue cannot be resolved independently, without coordination with the Syrian authorities. He stated, "We had initially intended to recommence the phased repatriation of refugee families to their home country by year-end. However, the sudden deterioration of the socio-economic situation in Syria itself has brought about unforeseen challenges for us."
The acting minister clarified that a significant portion of these individuals crossing the border into Lebanon are young people seeking employment opportunities. They rely on illicit routes facilitated by human smugglers, which are difficult to deter with the border troops currently stationed there.
"We have cautioned our citizens against offering shelter to Syrians, informing them that they will face administrative penalties for each unlawful refugee," Sharaf al-Din stressed. He further stated, "Additionally, we intend to enhance measures against criminal organizations involved in human trafficking across the border."
Destabilization factor
On September 11, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned during a government meeting about the escalating influx of Syrian refugees, emphasizing its potential as a significant threat to the stability of the Lebanese state. He expressed concern that it could lead to a demographic imbalance that might have adverse repercussions on the peaceful coexistence of various religious communities within the nation.
Acting Foreign Minister of Lebanon, Abdallah Bou Habib, concurred, underscoring the destabilizing impact caused by the presence of over 2 million displaced Syrians in Lebanon since 2011. He pointed out that the annual cost of accommodating Syrian refugees in Lebanon amounts to a staggering $6 billion, significantly straining the country's treasury.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: kinan alsakka/Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS