Interior and Municipalities Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stressed Monday that “there is no possibility for more refugees to enter Lebanon following the airstrikes targeting Iraq’s Mosul,” stressing that the decisions of the Lebanese government are very clear in terms of halting the entry of new refugees to Lebanon, unless for exceptional humanitarian cases.
“The borders of Kurdistan and Turkey are closer than the Lebanese borders,” he added.
During his meeting with Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees at UNHCR Kelly Clements, the minister emphasized the need for the donors to provide assistance for the basic service sectors through supporting the strategies and programs placed by the Lebanese government in this regard, pointing out that this assistance must be limited to the international organizations and civil society bodies.
Following the meeting, Clements declared that “she came to Lebanon to discuss the possible grants that can be offered to the Lebanese government and people to help with the huge burden of hosting the Syrian refugees, a case of absolute importance for the International Community.”
“We, at the United Nations and the UNHCR, have expressed full willingness to contribute to helping Lebanon bear these burdens,” she stated.