Hariri at Brussels III Requests $2.9 bn in Aid for Refugee Return

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Thursday urged in a speech he made at the Brussels III conference, the allies of the Syrian regime to pressure it into facilitating the return of displaced Syrians in order to end their suffering.

On why would not Lebanon take advantage of the fact that its is hosting the largest number of displaced Syrians in order to get enough aid funds.

He said: “Lebanon is doing its humanitarian duty. We would like to see an end to the issue of the displaced in Lebanon, because it is a big burden on the country and the Lebanese. The problem is there, and solutions must be found.”

He said that Lebanon can not tolerate the economic and social repercussions for hosting more than 1.5 million Syria refugees.

“We need to secure the appropriate funding for Lebanon's response plan to the crisis, we ask for $ 2.9 billion to ensure stability for long-term projects," he said.

Hariri has arrived on Wednesday in Brussels leading a delegation to Brussels III conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, Hariri’s media office said.

The delegation includes the Minister of Education Akram Shehayyeb, the Minister of Social Affairs Richard Kouyoumjian and the Lebanese Ambassador to Brussels Fadi Hajj Ali.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Premier will hold meetings with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

The conference brings together representatives from 85 countries and international organizations and around one thousand participants from donor countries, the United Nations and the countries hosting the displaced, especially Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.