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REFUGEES

Bou Habib calls for repatriation of Syrian refugees ahead of Brussels conference to raise funds for refugee host countries


Bou Habib calls for repatriation of Syrian refugees ahead of Brussels conference to raise funds for refugee host countries

Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, left, at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)

BEIRUT — Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib called on Thursday for the repatriation of Syrian refugees, saying that the “crushing number” of over a million displaced “exceeds Lebanon’s abilities.” Bou Habib’s remarks came in a meeting with President Michel Aoun ahead of the Brussels VI conference, scheduled on May 9 and 10, to raise international funds for countries hosting refugees.

Here’s what we know:

    • “Lebanon does not want refugees to be helped within its territory nor does it want to be helped itself,” Bou Habib said, adding “we know how to take care of ourselves, as long as refugees return to their countries.” Others present at the meeting included representatives of Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar.

   • Bou Habib said that Lebanon’s position during the conference will be aligned with Aoun’s directives. Aoun has regularly alerted the international community about the refugee situation. The conference is expected to address the aid allocated to Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, which have hosted millions of refugees fleeing the Syrian Assad regime.

   • “We must take into consideration our interests without having them imposed by refugees, we’re at a stage where we no longer accept anyone to impose anything,” Bou Habib continued, noting Syrian refugees’ ability to work and travel between Syria and Lebanon.

BEIRUT — Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib called on Thursday for the repatriation of Syrian refugees, saying that the “crushing number” of over a million displaced “exceeds Lebanon’s abilities.” Bou Habib’s remarks came in a meeting with President Michel Aoun ahead of the Brussels VI conference, scheduled on May 9 and 10, to raise international funds for countries hosting...