lebanon near breaking point over syrian refugee crisis
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Lebanon near 'breaking point' over Syrian refugee crisis

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleLebanon near 'breaking point' over Syrian refugee crisis

In this October 20, 2016, file photo, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Harir speaks in Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut- Arab today
lebanon near breaking point over syrian refugee crisis

Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said Lebanon was close to "breaking point" due to the strains of hosting 1.5 million Syrian refugees, and he feared unrest could spiral from tensions between them and Lebanese communities.

 

Refugees who fled the six-year-long conflict in neighboring Syria make up a quarter of Lebanon's population, and most live in severe poverty in makeshift camps across the country as the government opposes the creation of formal ones.

"Today if you go around most of the host communities, there is a huge tension between the Lebanese and the Syrians... I fear civil unrest," Hariri told journalists working for foreign media on Friday.

He will urge the international community to boost financial support for Lebanon at a conference on Syria in Brussels next week. "I am going ... to make sure that the world understands that Lebanon is on the verge of a breaking point," he said.

Hariri said the country has been "extremely lucky in making sure this crisis has not affected host communities, but we have stretched our luck".

The Syria war has weakened Lebanon's economy, fueled tension among Lebanese allied to the rival sides, and triggered a number of militant attacks. But there has so far been no significant violence between Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities.

Hariri urged the international community to commit to spending the equivalent of $10-12,000 per refugee over a period of five to seven years, compared to the current level of foreign support equivalent to $1-1,200 per year.

"I think that will make sure that Lebanon is going to stand on its own and the economy will thrive," he said.

Georges Ghali, programs manager at Lebanese human rights organization ALEF, said the tensions were rooted in factors such as misperceptions held by Lebanese that refugees were being showered in aid, and government policies that had made it difficult for them to obtain official residency.

Tensions had not reached the point of violent escalation, Ghali added.
Lebanese officials, citing World Bank figures, say the cumulative cost of the Syrian conflict to Lebanon was $18.15 billion to the end of 2015. Lebanon's annual economic growth has slowed to just over 1 percent from an average of 8 percent before the Syrian war, officials have said.

The government is seeking financial support for a program of public sector-led investment in infrastructure to boost the economy, and to increase the number of Syrians in education.

Hariri, a Saudi-allied Sunni politician, became prime minister in December in a political deal that saw Michel Aoun, an ally of the Iranian-backed Shia group Hezbollah, elected head of state.

Hezbollah, which is fighting in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad, is also part of the government. 

Source: Ahram online  

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

lebanon near breaking point over syrian refugee crisis lebanon near breaking point over syrian refugee crisis

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 09:40 2017 Sunday ,17 December

May wins Brexit boost, but bigger battles await

GMT 06:33 2017 Friday ,01 December

Venezuela blames oil woes on 'sabotage

GMT 10:53 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

Fadl Shaker change residency after threats

GMT 08:37 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 22:55 2017 Tuesday ,07 February

Egypt backs Trump’s media criticism

GMT 09:50 2016 Thursday ,27 October

Voices concern over AT&T-Time Warner

GMT 07:48 2018 Sunday ,07 January

Globes newcomer Timothee Chalamet shoots

GMT 15:35 2017 Friday ,06 October

SAMA governor: Real GDP growth of 1.7% during 2016

GMT 11:42 2017 Tuesday ,31 October

Greece finds stand-up comedy amid economic tragedy

GMT 04:31 2017 Tuesday ,07 February

Oscar nominees feted at film academy luncheon

GMT 21:20 2011 Thursday ,29 December

The Art of Fielding

GMT 12:58 2017 Wednesday ,05 July

All-star Hayward agrees to sign with Boston Celtics

GMT 06:04 2015 Saturday ,11 April

Tiger-esque Spieth rewrites Masters record book

GMT 22:43 2014 Tuesday ,24 June

How brains store recent memories, cell by cell?

GMT 11:03 2017 Saturday ,18 February

Ecuadorians to go to polls to choose

GMT 11:51 2013 Saturday ,30 November

Schools set to offer e-textbooks next year in Shanghai
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle