Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (R.) talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of an Arab League summit in Manama, Bahrain, May 16, 2024. (Credit: X / @grandserail)
Outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati told UN chief Antonio Guterres that his cabinet is "determined to find a solution" to the situation of Syrians in Lebanon — "whatever the obstacles" — during a meeting at the sidelines of the Arab League summit in Manama, Bahrain.
The United Nations, along with many international human rights organizations, has long asserted that conditions in Syria are not safe enough for the repatriation of refugees and migrants, while Lebanon has for years been pushing for repatriation as a solution to the influx of refugees within its borders. The topic has dominated Lebanese political discourse in the last month following the murder of a local politician and the subsequent arrest of Syrian suspects.
According to a statement released by the Grand Serail, Mikati underscored, in his meeting with Guterres, "the need for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to fully cooperate with the Lebanese government, as the Cabinet is resolved to address this issue, no matter the challenges."
On Wednesday, Parliament presented a framework for addressing the issue, calling for the establishment of a ministerial committee led by the outgoing Prime Minister to create a "detailed plan" for the repatriation of Syrians.
Parliament also proposed UN agencies be requested to provide "financial incentives" to encourage Syrians to return to their homeland. Lebanese authorities often reference a 2003 agreement between the UNHCR and Lebanese General Security during the Iraq war, which stipulated that Lebanon could only host refugees on a temporary basis, for a maximum of one year.
Pressure on Israel
Mikati also discussed the ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon with Guterres, urging the UN to "pressure Israel to end its aggression."
The UN Secretary-General’s office confirmed in a statement that Guterres "expressed his continued support for Lebanon and the Lebanese people" during his meeting with Mikati. "The Lebanese Prime Minister and the Secretary-General discussed the situation in the country, particularly the increased tensions along the Blue Line," according to the statement obtained by our UN correspondent, Sylviane Zehil.
Several Lebanese ministers and the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, also attended the meeting. Regarding some countries' withdrawal of financial support to UNRWA, following Israeli claims of ties between the agency and Hamas, Mikati expressed hope for the "continuation of support and funding for UNRWA's work, which is highly important given the current difficult circumstances in Lebanon."
During his stay in Manama, Mikati also met with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, among other delegations.