Maronite patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai stressed Friday that Lebanon “can no longer bear the burden of the refugee crisis,” noting that the country has already been struggling with a dire economic and living situation.
Speaking from Beirut airport before leading to Rome and the United States, Rai warned against exploiting the refugees politically and religiously, stressing that there is also a risk that the refugees could be exploited by terrorist organizations.
“This issue is supposed to be discussed with those concerned with the refugees’ return,” he stated, stressing the need to separate the political and strategic issues from other matters that might represent a grave danger on Lebanon.