Jones Reassures Salam: We Understand the Sensitivity of the Issue of Refugees in Lebanon

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Lebanon Richard Jones declared Friday that Washington prefers that the Syrian refugees in Lebanon be resettled in other countries, after remarks attributed to U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon sparked concerns that the international community was seeking the naturalization of the refugees in Lebanon.

“We discussed the statement that was issued last night or yesterday afternoon by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees office here, which I think is a helpful clarification of the situation and the views of the United Nations,” said Jones after talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.

“Certainly, I think the United States fully supports that statement, that we understand the sensitivity of the issue of refugees in Lebanon,” he added.

“We believe that the preferable solution is for them to voluntarily return to their country as soon as conditions allow and if that becomes impossible, that they be taken for resettlement in other countries,” Jones explained.

Noting that the United States is trying to do its part, the U.S. envoy pointed out that President Barack Obama has “already announced an increase in our refugee quotas for this year and suggested that they will be increased further for next year.”

“But it is a difficult issue for all countries and we understand that,” he added.

Earlier in the day, U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag reassured that Ban Ki-moon's report “makes no mention of any specific country and seeks primarily to promote more collective action.”

“The report does not advocate in any specific case for naturalization or granting of citizenship for refugees. National policies and laws prevail with regard to issues of integration or citizenship,” she said.

“Potential integration is a sovereign question at the discretion of the Lebanese government. The Secretary-General has at no time called for the permanent settlement of Syrian refugees in Lebanon”, Kaag stressed.

On Thursday, the Lebanese government unanimously reaffirmed “the Lebanese consensus on rejecting naturalization and any policies that encourage the refugees to stay where they are.”

The government also agreed to “conduct the necessary contacts” and “demand clarifications regarding Ban Ki-moon's remarks on the naturalization of refugees.”

Y.R.