The Lebanese Orthodox Council stated on Saturday that “the increase in the number of Syrian immigrants constitutes a danger and a heavy burden for the State.” The Council emphasized the need to “curb this immigration” and “close the borders” between Lebanon and Syria, and called on the government to “deal with this issue as soon as possible, before the great catastrophe occurs, i.e. direct clashes between Lebanese nationals and Syrian immigrants.”
“We hold politicians, MPs, and leaders of political parties and currents responsible for everything that happens in Lebanon,” said the Lebanese Orthodox Council in a statement issued at the end of a rally organized by residents of Rmeil and Achrafieh in protest against the high number of Syrian immigrants, which “exceeds that of the local population.”
He also denounced “the international plot to replace the Lebanese population, particularly the Christians, with immigrants from surrounding countries, mainly Palestinians, Syrians, and Iraqis.” According to the Lebanese Orthodox Council, this plot is reminiscent of “the Kissinger plan to force Christians out of Lebanon.” Lastly, it accused certain political leaders of being “accomplices” with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which, in its view, is working to implant them in Lebanon.
