Mashnouq Says Syrians Committing Less Crimes than Lebanese

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq noted Tuesday that “the rate of crimes committed by Syrian refugees is lower than the rate of crimes committed by Lebanese citizens.”

“The Syrian refugee population did not grow this year at all,” Mashnouq added during a ceremony at the Grand Serail.

The minister also reassured that “Lebanon is one of the safest countries due to the efforts of security forces and coordination between them.”

At least one million registered Syrian refugees live in Lebanon, almost 25 percent of its population. Many more are believed to live unregistered, straining the country's already fraying infrastructure.