The leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), MP Gebran Bassil, lashed out at the European Union for offering Lebanon one billion euros in exchange for keeping displaced Syrians, describing the move as an “attempt to replace the Lebanese with Syrians.”
At a press conference on Saturday, Bassil stressed that the financial aid offered by the EU was “an attempt to bribe Lebanon and its people to keep the refugees” on Lebanese territory.
At the same time, Europe has declared that it will open its borders to the Lebanese people. For Bassil, this is a process of “disguised and gradual displacement of Lebanese under the name of seasonal migration, which could eventually lead to permanent migration.”
Bassil accused the EU of employing a double standard, stating, “Europe is fighting the migration of Syrians to its countries but tells Lebanon, ‘You have to keep the Syrians and we are open to the migration of your people,’ which means replacing the Lebanese people with Syrian refugees.”
As part of this European approach, the island of Cyprus is “doing what serves its interest,” in order to protect itself from the wave of Syrian refugee migration, “which it is not in a position to support,” according to Bassil. “Lebanon is also expected to do what serves its interests,” he argued.
In this context, he stressed that only “a Lebanese political decision for the return of refugees” would be effective, and not “funding to keep Syrians in Lebanon,” calling on Lebanese officials to exercise real authority in this regard.
In conclusion, Bassil announced his intention to “submit a bill for the repatriation of Syrian refugees,” as part of “legislation of necessity.” He also declared his intention to “form a parliamentary delegation” that will “meet with Lebanese officials and visit the European Union to submit a memorandum and explain FPM’s position.”
