President Michel Aoun on Friday told a visiting EU official that Lebanon has “suspicions” that some forces are seeking to “keep” Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

“Lebanon hosts more than 1.5 million displaced Syrians and around 500,000 Palestinian refugees, and this hosting has left numerous repercussions on the Lebanese economy and aggravated the financial, social, educational and health crises it is facing,” Aoun told European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas.

“Lebanon, which is taking measures to prevent illegal migration from its territory, hopes it will be treated reciprocally by world nations, especially European countries, because it can no longer bear further burdens,” the President added.

“The international community’s continued disregard for the Lebanese calls seeking to facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their country has started to create suspicions that some are seeking to keep them in Lebanon, which is something that the Lebanese cannot accept due to its negative impact on the demographic situation that is based on balance between the various Lebanese components,” Aoun went on to say.

Source: Naharnet.com