Miqati Urges U.S. to Help Lebanon Cope with Burden of Syrian Refugees

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati reiterated on Friday his demand to the international community to help Lebanon overcome the impact the Syrian refugees are having on the country.

He hoped after meeting the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development Rajiv Shah that he relay to the American administration the dangerous repercussions the refugees are having on Lebanon.

He also stressed the need to aid Lebanon in coping with their burden through coordinating with the concerned Lebanese agencies.

“The international community must assume its responsibilities towards Lebanon because it is suffering more than any other neighboring from the flow of Syrian refugees,” remarked Miqati.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale was present at the talks that were held at the Grand Serail.

He said U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have ordered that the U.S. exert the greatest efforts to support the Lebanese people and those of the region in confronting the repercussions of the developments in Syria.

The United States understands the increasing responsibilities placed on the shoulders of the Lebanese people, he continued.

“Lebanon cannot – and should not – bear this burden alone. For this reason we focus on supporting efforts that ensure an immediate response to the crisis in Syria, and at the same time invest in setting up a partnership that establishes stronger Lebanese institutions in the long run, as well as economic growth in Lebanon,” he added.

The United States has already presented $1.3 billion as assistance to communities inside Syria and to neighboring countries in the region including Lebanon, he remarked.

“The United States and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has a long history working to provide opportunities for the Lebanese people through our partnership with Lebanon,” he explained.

Even though we welcome the efforts that are being exerted by the Lebanese people and government to meet the needs that came about as a result of the Syrian crisis, we are committed to doing more, said Hale.

Last month Kerry announced plans to work with Congress to provide an additional $30 million to meet the needs of Lebanese host communities that receive large numbers of Syrian families and children, stated the ambassador.

“We are here to consult over the best means to allocate these additional resources and work with our international partners to make sure that the international community bears the burden, as well as the opportunity, to support these communities that are shouldering additional responsibilities,” he continued.

There are over 750,000 registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

The unregistered refugees bring the number close to 1.3 million.

Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour had lamented in October the international community's failure to take action regarding the refugees in Lebanon despite its pledges, saying: “Nothing of significance has materialized so far. Not one hospital. Not one school.”

While insisting Beirut would keep the borders open to anyone truly in need of humanitarian assistance, he acknowledged that some screening had begun to reduce the numbers of people crossing into the country.

If the international community does not step up and do more, it risks "losing a major ally in Lebanon," he said, warning "the price of shouldering the Syrian crisis is proving too much to bear."