Lebanon Reaffirms It is Standing by Syrian Refugees

Lebanese Interior Minister Nihad Machnouk said that the Ministerial Committee on Syrian Refugees ruled out deportation of any Syrian refugees or citizens out of Lebanon, stressing that the newly introduced measures primarily aim to regulate the influx of Syrian refugees in light of the exceptional circumstances in Lebanon resulting from the large number of Syrian refugees already in Lebanon. He pointed out that “these new regulations does not imposing visas on Syrians wanting to cross into Lebanon, but rather they are specific entry rules whereby arrivals at Lebanon’s borders are classified into categories: patients, students, workers, tourists, businessmen, homeowners, tenants, travelers across the Rafik Hariri International Airport and holders of residencies stays outside Lebanon. These regulations have been translated into action by the General Directorate of General Security which distributed them to border crossings.” He pointed out that in the beginning, there was a kind of confusion as Syrian or Lebanese or employees are not accustomed to these rules.“ He stresses that “we will remain grateful to Syria for hosting their Lebanese brethren during all the Lebanon went through, and we will continue to provide services to Syrian refugees and try to meet their needs. Lebanon will allow entry for new refugees only in exceptional cases decided by the General Directorate of General Security and Ministry of Social Affairs.” (Source: Seventh Day)