REPORT: Minister Khoury says Syrian crisis has cost Lebanon 18 billion USD

Minister of Economy Raed Khoury declared on Saturday that the Syrian crisis has cost Lebanon around 18 billion USD from 2011 until present.

 

Khoury’s comments were made during a press conference whereby he noted that the Syrian labor force increased by 380000 people and unemployment rate among Lebanese people reached 30% due to the presence of Syrian refugees.

 

The minister also stressed that the Lebanese state sympathizes with the displaced, adding however that the economic relations between Lebanon and the refugees must be organized until their safe return to their country.

 

“There is an economic displacement and not a political or security one,” he said.

 

He also noted that Lebanon “can no longer bear this crisis despite the aid offered by the International community.”

 

Khoury called on all municipalities to be strict while enforcing of laws or they will be held accountable.