Derbas Says Beirut Mulling Different Approach with U.N. over Refugee Crisis Pledges
Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas has revealed that Lebanese authorities are mulling to adopt a different approach with the United Nations over a dispute on the Syrian refugee crisis.
In remarks to local dailies published on Tuesday, Derbas accused the U.N. of procrastinating in informing Beirut on its share from the pledges made at the Kuwait donors conference that was held end of March.
International donors had pledged $3.8 billion at the U.N.-backed conference.
The issue was discussed during the crisis cell meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail on Monday, said Derbas.
The minister stressed that he has given instructions not to register new refugees in accordance to a decision taken by the government last year to restrict the entry of refugees.
The promises made by countries to help Lebanon confront the burden of the displaced Syrians “have remained pledges,” he said. “We are still waiting.”
There are now around 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
The issue will be discussed during a one-day visit that German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier plans to make this week.
During his trip, Steinmeier is scheduled to meet with his Lebanese counterpart Jebran Bassil and Salam.
The talks are expected to focus on the results of the Berlin conference that was held in October last year.
Steinmeier is planning to announce that his country is willing to host tens of thousands of educated Syrian refugees, said An Nahar newspaper.
During the Berlin conference, Steinmeier said his country had already taken in 70,000 Syrians since 2012 and was prepared to do more but urged other European nations to also open their borders to Syrian refugees.
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