Naharnet

Aoun Meets U.S. Bishops, Urges Facilitation of Refugees Return

The crisis of Syrian refugees in Lebanon was the focal point of discussion between President Michel Aoun and a delegation of U.S. Catholic Bishops at the Baabda Palace on Tuesday.

Aoun called upon the delegation to back Lebanon’s stance and urge the U.S. administration to facilitate the return of refugees. He pointed to obstacles created by some “foreign parties hampering Lebanon’s efforts to return the displaced.”

On the U.S. decision to move its Israel embassy, Aoun reflected Lebanon’s position rejecting the transfer of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

“The Holy city includes religious landmarks for Christians, Muslims and Jews and can not be for a religious group without the other,” said Aoun.

Lebanon hosts around 1.5 million Syrian refugees, or roughly a quarter of the population, since the war broke out in neighboring Syria in 2011, according to the United Nations.

Their presence has strained public services and the country’s infrastructure and suppressed economic growth.

Source: Naharnet


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