Parliament set to recommend action on refugee crisis, EU aid

The Lebanese Parliament is set to meet on Wednesday to deliberate on an EU proposal that includes a $1 billion financial aid package for Lebanon. This session comes amidst calls from the EU for Lebanon to address the issue of illegal migration to its member states.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has directed Amal MP Ali Hassan Khalil, his political assistant, to consult with various parliamentary factions about their views on a recommendation concerning this European aid proposal. This was reported by al-Jadeed television, noting that Khalil’s consultations are being carried out in coordination with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

During the upcoming parliamentary session, as reported by al-Joumhouria newspaper, lawmakers will debate the merits of accepting the EU’s financial aid. Some sources suggested that rejecting the aid is among the options to be considered.

The proposal has faced criticism within Lebanon, particularly from the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces party. Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces, has expressed his concerns, stating he is not against the aid but seeks clarification from the government on whether accepting the funds would mean Lebanon must continue to accommodate Syrian refugees.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi also voiced concerns recently about the ongoing refugee crisis, criticizing the lack of effective international cooperation with Lebanon and accusing other countries of exploiting the situation for political purposes. He highlighted the potential dangers of leaving the refugee situation unresolved.

Last week, Speaker Berri called on Lebanese leaders to approach the refugee issue with responsibility and avoid populism and political competition.

Lebanon has been severely impacted by a financial crisis since 2019 and hosts a significant number of Syrian refugees, both registered and unregistered, making it the country with the highest refugee population per capita globally. Lebanese officials have long urged the international community to help resettle these refugees or facilitate their return to Syria.

The tension over refugees escalated following the recent killing of Pascal Suleiman, an official from the Lebanese Forces, in an alleged carjacking by a Syrian gang, which sparked anti-Syrian violence.

Some Lebanese politicians blame the Syrian refugees for exacerbating the nation’s economic difficulties. These sentiments often intensify around the time of the annual Brussels conference on Syria, where Lebanon pushes for international assistance to be directed to Syrians within their own country rather than in Lebanon. In light of this, Geagea has called on the Lebanese diaspora to protest at the upcoming ministerial meeting in Brussels to advocate for in-country aid for Syrians.