Mikati urges repatriation of Syrians, asks KSA to help Lebanon

The “presidential vacuum” and the “failure to elect a new president” have “aggravated” Lebanon’s crisis, caretaker PM Najib Mikati told the 32nd Arab Summit in Jeddah on Friday.

Moreover, Mikati said “the very big growth in the numbers of (Syrian) refugees have made the refugee crisis bigger than Lebanon’s capacity in terms of its infrastructure and the social and political repercussions on the country.”

“These refugees have a natural right to return to their cities and villages,” Mikati added.

He noted that such a return cannot happen without “unified Arab efforts, assistance from the international community, and communication and dialogue with brotherly Syria.”

“Construction and revival projects must be carried out in the destroyed regions in order to devise a roadmap for the return of the Syrian brothers to their homeland,” the premier added.

And addressing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mikati said “it is not difficult for he who has managed to move KSA and its youths to the leadership and pioneering positions they have reached… to be a supporter of his brothers in Lebanon.”

“Accordingly, we are looking forward to the kingdom’s sponsorship and its brotherly approach towards my country Lebanon so that it manages to rise once again,” Mikati added.

He also called on all “Arab brothers” to quickly return to Lebanon.