Lebanese President Calls on Italian Defense Minister to Facilitate Return of Syrian Refugees
Arab World
Beirut- Asharq Al-Awsat
President Michel Aoun called Monday on Italy to help Lebanon facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their country, especially after stability has been reached in several Syrian regions. During talks with Italian Defense Minister, Lorenzo Guerini, at the presidential palace in Baabda, Aoun explained the challenges that Lebanon is working to address, which are divided between its economic and financial crises, the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, the Syrian displacement and the Palestinian refugees in the country. For his part, Guerini stressed Italy’s support to Lebanon during its current ordeal, considering that the assistance it provides and will continue to provide is the evidence of friendship between the two states and peoples, “which is getting stronger year after year”. Aoun also briefed him on the difficulties that Lebanon has faced and still is facing, defining the needs as great at all levels and not only limited to the four priorities identified by the Paris Conference (CEDRE) in the medical health, educational and food sectors. He cited the rebuilding of the Beirut Port after the massive August 4 blast as a new burden on the country. Also on Monday, Aoun met Regional Director of the International Organization for Migration of the Middle East and North Africa, Carmela Godot. He asked her for assistance in returning the displaced Syrians to areas in their country which have become safe, and presented the repercussions which Lebanon bears as a result of displacement since the 2011 war until today. He said this return lifts a great burden off Lebanon, which is suffering from several crises, including the economic crisis, the pandemic and the devastating human and material losses resulting from the Beirut Port explosion. “In addition to the presence of more than 1.5 million Syrians and around 500,000 Palestinian refugees, the Beirut explosion led to the displacement of 300,000 citizens from their homes and properties were damaged in neighborhoods close to the Port. These neighborhoods must be provided with the necessary and rapid assistance, in addition to providing shelters pending the restoration of the damaged homes,” he added.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2467996/lebanese-president-calls-italian-defense-minister-facilitate-return-syrian
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