Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil stressed that Lebanon “has never used the issue of the Syrian refugees for economic extortion or to exert political pressure on its partners,” explaining that the logistical, technical, military and financial support offered to the Lebanese Armed Forces represents both a priority for Lebanon and a need for Europe.
During a meeting with European Foreign Affairs Minister, vice Prime Minister of Belgium Didier Reynders, Bassil noted that “Lebanon is currently facing two major challenges, terrorism and heavy influx of Syrian refugees,” pointing out that the country has been fighting national battles on a daily basis against terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front, in order to survive and prevent extremist ideologies from flocking to neighboring Europe.