Lebanon’s Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has again raised concerns about the burden of Syrian refugees in the country, stating that it poses a major threat to Lebanon.
In a statement last Sunday, the Lebanese minister said that the immense financial burden of hosting a large number of refugees surpasses the aid provided by the international community.
The cost of accommodating Syrian refugees in Lebanon is estimated to be around 6 billion U.S. dollars annually, significantly higher than previous estimates, he added.
Bou Habib also criticized certain countries for hindering repatriation efforts, fearing that refugees may seek asylum elsewhere.
Lebanon currently hosts the highest number of refugees per capita, with approximately 2 million Syrian refugees residing in the country. The Lebanese government seeks solutions to this crisis and hopes for a positive response from the international community. ■
