Preparations are ongoing for the parliamentary session scheduled for May 15, as part of a concerted effort to reach a unified stance among parliamentary blocs regarding the issue of Syrian migrants. MPs are aiming to achieve a unanimous vote on Wednesday.
Amidst calls for the urgent return of Syrian migrants to their homeland, contacts and consultations among various parliamentary blocs intensified on Tuesday. Furthermore, a consultative meeting took place at the Parliament to address this pressing issue, attended by many MPs including Georges Atallah, Hassan Fadlallah, Hussein Hajj Hassan, Georges Adwan, Ali Hassan Khalil, Tony Frangieh, Ahmad Kheir, Hadi Abou el-Hosn, Neemat Frem, Adnane Traboulsi, Taha Naji, Jamil Sayed and Qassem Hashem.
These consultations were focused on three key points, as reported by certain sources. Firstly, MPs, mostly from the opposition, stressed on the fact that the funds allocated by the European Union (EU) to Lebanon are offered as unconditional assistance to the country. In essence, this means that such aid does not compel the state to divert from its commitment to repatriate Syrians under any circumstances. “In this context, the government is likely to be urged to promptly and thoroughly implement the measures set forth by the Ministry of Interior to facilitate the repatriation of illegal Syrian immigrants,” as explained to This is Beirut.
Secondly, the goal is to submit to the government an initial recommendation for the development of a comprehensive plan outlining the policy to be pursued for the return of Syrian immigrants.
Thirdly, parliamentary blocs are urging that the delegation attending the upcoming May 27 annual conference on Syria be provided with the government’s final plan. They stress the necessity to expel illegal immigrants currently on Lebanese territory.
Additionally, according to a source familiar with the dossier, there will be discussions about redirecting European Union (EU) aid through the government rather than directly to the beneficiaries of the projects in question.
Amidst a major controversy, the one billion-euro contribution allocated to help Lebanon address the significant Syrian presence has stirred heated debates. Despite efforts to clarify that this European donation – extending until 2027 –, is unconditional, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati reportedly urged Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to convene a parliamentary session on Wednesday, ensuring representation from all parliamentary blocs. The objective of this session is to secure political support for this initiative, as emphasized by some sources.
