On Wednesday, Governor Kamal Abou Jaoude hosted a delegation of diplomats, donor-state representatives, and UNHCR Beirut and Mount Lebanon representatives. This meeting was held to discuss the Syrian refugee crisis and its impact on Lebanese society. The Lebanese official explained to his guests that the continued aid they are offering is destroying Lebanon by encouraging refugees to remain in the country.
“We are only trying to protect our communities and environment,” he explained. The Governor also asked the participants about their countries’ readiness to accept the number of refugees Lebanon is currently hosting. “Would you be able to live in your countries if this number of refugees were present?”
Claims of refugees’ reluctance to return to Syria, fearing measures from the Assad regime, seemed far-fetched to Abou Jaoude. “Syrian refugees and residents flock to their embassy in Lebanon to vote for the same regime they claim to fear. Furthermore, Syrian refugees are exploiting their status and traveling back and forth between Syria and Lebanon,” he lamented.
