Gemayel from Paris: We Hope Case of Syrian Refugees Will Not Turn into Security Risk in Lebanon

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel criticized on Friday the government's lack of a clear plan to deal with the case of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

He said during his ongoing trip to Paris: “We hope the case of Syrian refugees will not turn into a security risk that will threaten Lebanon's stability.”

He noted that the government has failed in tackling the file from its political, security, and humanitarian angles, warning of the possibility of the refugees “becoming permanently displaced in Lebanon” in a manner that would destabilize the country's “national fabric.”

Addressing the debate in Lebanon over a new parliamentary electoral law, Gemayel remarked: “Lebanon is in need of a law that takes into consideration democratic standards that are an integral part of the Lebanese system.”

The law must guarantee fair representation of all factions, starting with Christians, and reject “the culture of arms that usurps freedoms and democracy,” he stated.

The solution to the spread of arms does not lie in the armament of all sides, but through limiting the possession of weapons to state authorities, stressed the Phalange Party chief.

Gemayel arrived in Paris earlier this week where he held talks on Wednesday with French President Francois Hollande.

He quoted the president as saying: “Hollande promised me to keep exerting efforts to help Lebanon on all levels and mainly consolidate it against the developments in the region and the repercussions of the Syrian crisis.”

Gemayel also met in Paris with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday.